SANTA ANA, Calif.–A former NFL linebacker who killed his lover’s wealthy live-in boyfriend in his Newport Beach home so the couple could loot his savings and collect on a $1 million life insurance policy was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Eric Andrew Naposki, 45, was convicted last year for shooting 55-year- old Bill McLaughlin on Dec. 15, 1994.
Naposki’s lover, 46-year-old Nanette Ann Packard McNeal, was convicted in January for her part in the murder conspiracy and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in May.
The two were expected to be sentenced together in May, but Naposki won another delay so his attorneys could argue for a new trial.
In court today, Naposki gave a lengthy statement professing his innocence. At one point during the hearing, he got into a verbal exchange with one of McLaughlin’s daughters, who had called Naposki a liar.
Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy built his case against Packard McNeal on circumstantial evidence that included her actions before and after the killing, noting she embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from McLaughlin.
Packard McNeal, who was known as Nanette Johnston at the time of the murder, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year in jail in 1996 for stealing about $500,000 from McLaughlin.
Naposki played three games with the New England Patriots in 1988 and one each with the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts in 1989.
