Monica Sementilli was found guilty on Friday of orchestrating the murder of her husband, celebrity hairstylist Fabio Sementilli, in a shocking case that unfolded over several years. The brutal stabbing occurred at their upscale Woodland Hills home in January 2017, and it took a jury nearly three months to reach a verdict.
As the jury announced their decision, Monica, 51, reacted with visible distress, breaking down in tears. She faces a life sentence in prison without the chance of parole after being convicted of both murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Fabio Sementilli was discovered dead in their home, initially believed to be the victim of a home invasion. However, investigators soon became suspicious when they noticed his expensive Rolex watch remained untouched. The investigation took a turn when blood evidence linked Robert Baker, a convicted sex offender and former lover of Monica, to the crime scene.
Baker, who had been having an affair with Monica, testified during the trial, claiming he acted out of love and insisted she had no part in the murder. He stated, “I murdered him because I wanted her.” Despite his claims, Baker was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Prosecutors painted a different picture, suggesting Monica was the mastermind behind the plan. They revealed that she had been monitoring a live feed of the area just before the attack to ensure Baker could reach her husband without obstruction. Evidence showed that on the day of the murder, Monica and Baker exchanged a staggering 95 messages through an encrypted app, with 180 messages sent the day before.
While Monica publicly mourned her husband, evidence emerged of her ongoing relationship with Baker. Prosecutors highlighted that she sent explicit messages to him during Fabio’s funeral, further complicating her defense.
Baker’s accomplice, Christopher Austin, also testified, claiming Baker told him Monica wanted her husband “gone.” He said Baker’s actions were often prompted by messages from Monica.
Defense attorney Leonard Levine argued that the focus on Monica’s affair does not prove she plotted the murder. He maintained that her actions were to protect her relationship, not to cover up a crime.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the murder as a “cold and calculated crime motivated by greed and betrayal.” He expressed hope that the verdict would bring some measure of justice to Fabio Sementilli’s family as they continue to grieve his loss.