Every road in the murder of famed Toronto hairstylist Fabio Sementilli led back to the dead end called money.
If Sementilli, 49, died, his widow Monica would reap nearly $3 million in cash and assets.
Monica, 53, is now on trial for first-degree murder in the 2017 slaying of Fabio, 49, who was stabbed to death on the patio of their Los Angeles residence.
Prosecutors say the motives were two of the oldest: Sex and money.
For 18 months, Monica carried on a torrid affair with her porn star-turned-racquetball coach Robert Baker. The pair were arrested six months after Fabio’s murder.
The couple were the poor man’s Double Indemnity duo of Fred McMurray and Barbara Stanwyck.
HERE’S THE LATEST FROM TRIAL – DAY 10
— Monica Sementilli allegedly told her family after Fabio’s death that she wanted to move out of their posh Woodland Hills home.
— She never purchased a permanent resting place for her late husband’s cremated remains, his sister testified.
— Monica torpedoed an offer for security in the home after Fabio was murdered. She allegedly claimed that she and her two daughters would rely on “Sementilli power.”
— In addition, the newly widowed woman allegedly said she was tired of visitors following her husband’s murder. Fabio’s sister Mirella testified that Monica’s friend told her “help to get (the person) out.” It was Baker.
DAY 9
— LADA digital forensic investigator Jake Gibson outlined how digital evidence tied Monica to Baker. Among the bon mots: Instructions on how to access security at the Woodland Hills home.
— Gibson testified there were raunchy photos and videos on an SD card in a deleted state.
— Among the searches in Monica Sementilli’s web history was one for “Do the police has (sic) the right to tap my cell phone.”
DAY 8
— Monica wanted the insurance money — badly. Payouts to his children were processed after she was arrested.
— She allegedly became strident with Coty’s Human Resources director. She accused him of “ignoring” her and “being too slow” in processing the insurance claim.
DAY 7
— Monica told Fabio’s son from a previous marriage “not to worry, because a ‘hefty’ life insurance policy money is coming to you.”
— Luigi Sementilli testified that when he was eight or nine years old, his father, Fabio, and his stepmother, Monica, had arguments about extramarital affairs. He blames Monica for destroying his family, which led to his father divorcing his mother.
— When homicide detectives contacted Luigi about his dad’s murder, he testified he was “shocked” but not in “disbelief.”
Her defence team has argued that Monica was a promiscuous sex cheat but not a killer. Instead, they’re pointing the finger at the “charming” and “manipulative” Baker. He pleaded no contest in 2023 to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Baker was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Monica Sementilli could face the same sentence if she is convicted as charged.
A third man was convicted of second-degree murder in January. He is expected to testify against Monica.
The trial continues.
@HunterTOSun