| No. 91, 51 | |
| Linebacker | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: December 20, 1966 | |
| Place of birth: New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Weight: 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: Connecticut | |
| Undrafted in 1988 | |
| Debuted in 1988 for the New England Patriots | |
| Last played in 1997 for the Barcelona Dragons | |
| Career history | |
|
|
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |
Eric Andrew Naposki (born December 20, 1966) is a former American football player who played in the National Football League and World League of American Football between 1988 and 1997. He played two seasons with the New England Patriots, one season with the Indianapolis Colts, and four seasons with the Barcelona Dragons. He was also a reserve player in camps with both the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets. While with the Dragons he recorded 16.5 sacks in 3.5 seasons with one touchdown, one interception, and several blocked punts and field goals.
On May 21, 2009, Naposki was arrested in Connecticut and charged with a murder committed 15 years earlier in 1994 in Newport Beach, California. He was charged with killing Bill McLaughlin so that McLaughlin's girlfriend, Nanette Johnston, could collect his life insurance. Naposki was romantically linked to Johnston at the time.[1] On July 14, 2011, Naposki was convicted of the murder. He was scheduled to be sentenced on October 21, 2011, however on that date sentencing was delayed until 2012. Naposki plans to appeal his conviction.[2]
Contents |
Naposki, a native of Tuckahoe, New York, played Pop Warner Football with the "Blue Devils" out of Eastchester, NY for 8 seasons. He later attended both Tuckahoe H.S. as well as Lincoln H.S., the latter in Yonkers, New York, before transfer during his junior year to Eastchester HS. At Eastchester, he led the team in sacks and tackles for 2 years with the team going 17-3 during his tenure at linebacker position. He also played safety, tight end and running back in goal line situations. He was named All County in 1982, and All State in 1983. He graduated from Eastchester in 1984.
He was offered partial scholarships by New Hampshire, New Haven and Buffalo, but decided to attended the University of Connecticut (UConn) on a full football scholarship. At the time, UConn played as a Div 1-AA in the now defunct Yankee Conference. However, midway through his third year at UConn, he quit the football team over a disagreement with his coach, Tom Jackson. Naposki who had NFL aspirations decided to forgo his scholarship and withdrew from the University. He returned to UConn to complete his degree in 1987, although he left again for 2 years to pursue the NFL and eventually received his degree in Physical Education in 1991.
On July 14, 2011, an Orange County jury found Naposki guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of William "Bill" McLaughlin in his Newport Beach home in 1994. The panel also found true a special circumstance allegation that Naposki committed the murder for financial gain and that he personally discharged a firearm, which would have made him eligible for the death penalty, although ultimately the state did not seek the death penalty. The jury heard during more than three weeks of testimony, which included 28 witnesses and more than 240 exhibits, that Naposki had conspired with Nanette Johnston, his secret lover, to murder McLaughlin for financial gain.[3]
Witnesses testified that Johnston, also known in court documents as Nanette Packard McNeal (her married names), was an attractive young woman with two small children who seduced McLaughlin, who was a quarter century her senior, after the wealthy health care entrepreneur had gone through a nasty divorce with his first wife of 24 years. Johnston began living with McLaughlin in his luxury home in a tight-knit gated community in Newport Beach, and managing his personal financial affairs.[3] The case went unsolved for 15 years before Naposki was charged in 2009. Johnston met McLaughlin after placing a magazine ad seeking the companionship of a wealthy man. She will stand trial on murder charges in November 2011.[4] Witnesses testified that Johnston lived with McLaughlin in his luxury home in Newport Beach, and managing his personal financial affairs.[3]
Naposki faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole at his upcoming sentencing hearing before Superior Court Judge William R. Froeberg. The sentencing was delayed until early 2012 on October 21, 2011. Naposki plans to appeal his conviction.