Another curveball coming in delayed Fabio Sementilli murder trial?
Article content
The long and twisting road to justice for Fabio Sementilli just hit another bump in the road.
Sementilli — a famed Toronto hair stylist and a vice president of hair-care giant, Wella — was cruelly stabbed to death on the patio of his Los Angeles home in January 2017 while he smoked a cigar and sipped a glass of wine.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Another curveball coming in delayed Fabio Sementilli murder trial? Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Six months later, his widow Monica Crescentini and her secret lover, former porn star Robert Baker, were arrested and charged with capital murder. Cops said the alleged motive was sex, love — and a $1.6 million insurance policy.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and bursting to the seams Los Angeles courtrooms, the murder trial of Monica has been delayed countless times.
Now, the trial is finally slated to begin on Jan. 27, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court, with jury selection starting on Jan. 21. But there are new wrinkles to the prosecution’s case.
Recommended video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
As The Toronto Sun first reported in October, homicide detectives finally nabbed the elusive third suspect in the alleged murder conspiracy.
He is 38-year-old Christopher Austin, who was arrested in Washington state by detectives. He pleaded not guilty to murder. But cops alleged it was Austin who personally wielded a knife during the commission of the grisly crime.
Austin is now caged on more than $2-million bail.
But sources told the Sun that Austin has already given up a fourth name — someone who may point the finger at the alleged black widow. Monica has denied any involvement in the crime.
Earlier, Monica’s lover Robert Baker claimed she had nothing to do with the murder of her husband. However, staring down a life sentence, he may be ready to play let’s make a deal.
Baker, 61, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading no contest to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in July 2023.
The legal proceedings have also featured a bitter battle between Monica’s legal eagles and the prosecution. In November, her team accused prosecutors of misconduct.
In dispute was the prosecution sending an email before U.S. Thanksgiving “changing their entire theory of the case, alleging there are declarations by a [new] co-conspirator implicating Ms. Sementilli.”
“None of the discovery that the people were apparently relying on and supported that motion had been produced to the defence, despite this court’s last clear order that reciprocal discovery be produced to the defence immediately,” Monica’s lawyer told the court.
She added that the machinations were harming her client’s due process rights and right to a fair trial, adding new claims were not supported by exhibits or evidence.
The prosecution has denied any wrongdoing.
The story has captivated American true crime viewers with a slew of documentaries on the case with its tawdry tale of sex, murder and money.
bhunter@postmedia.com
@HunterTOSun
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.