Woman gets life in prison for murder of celebrity hairdresser husband

LOS ANGELES (CN) — Monica Sementilli, who was convicted of sending her former lover to kill her husband, renowned celebrity hairdresser Fabio Sementilli, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Monday.

Superior Court Judge Ronald Coen called Monica Sementilli “the mastermind in this conspiracy that occurred,” adding that the man who carried out the brutal killing, Robert Baker, with whom the defendant had been having an affair, “did not have the intelligence to plan such a brutal, well-thought-out slaughter.”

Fabio Sementilli — a renowned hair stylist whose star-studded list of clients included Jennifer Lopez and Russell Crowe — was found stabbed to death at the couple’s home on Jan. 23, 2017. Police initially thought the crime was a botched home invasion, even though the victim was found with an $8,000 Rolex watch still on his wrist.

But blood from the crime scene was eventually linked to Robert Baker, a former porn actor and convicted sex offender, who had been Monica’s racquetball instructor. Their affair was portrayed, during Monica’s trial, as an exceptionally lewd one. Prosecutors said that Monica sent nude photos of herself to Baker during her husband’s funeral.

During the two-and-a-half-month trial, prosecutors told the jury that Monica Sementilli, Baker and a third accomplice intended to collect on a $1.6 million insurance policy. But when Baker took the stand, he insisted that he alone was responsible for the crime.

“I murdered him because I wanted her,” Baker testified. “She had nothing to do with it.”

Baker had already been convicted for his role in the murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Christopher Austin, a former probation officer who helped Baker kill Fabio Sementilli, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years. He, too, testified during Monica’s trial and told the jury that Monica herself had directed the murder. Referring to Baker, Austin testified: “Everything he did, he did after he got a text message, which told me he was talking to her via text message.”

In April, the jury deliberated for about two days before finding Monica guilty of first-degree murder.

Judge Coen had the option of sentencing Sementilli to either 25 years to life in prison or life without the possibility of parole. The two daughters of Monica and Fabio asked the judge for leniency.

“I stand by both my parents,” said Isabella Sementilli, the youngest daughter. “They were the greatest people I’ve ever known.”

Isabella described her parents as “the best wedding guests,” taking over the dance floor and dancing all night long. Her older sister, Gessica, recalled family meetings that would end with a ritual chant of “Sementilli power!”

“I used to think it was so cheesy,” Gessica said. “I’d give anything to sit in just one more of those meetings.”

Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman told the judge that the daughters had been “brainwashed” by their mother’s “lies and deception.”

“This is one of the most premeditated, calculating, devious murder conspiracies I’ve prosecuted in 31 years,” Silverman said. “This was a completely senseless murder driven solely by this defendant’s greed and her lust.”

The courtroom was packed with relatives from Fabio’s side of the family, who asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence possible. They heaped invective on Monica, calling her a “monster” and a “parasite.”

“Monica, you are the most despicable and evil of all mankind,” said Stephanie Avola, Fabio’s niece by marriage. And Fabio’s youngest sister, Mirella Sementilli, said that Monica “enjoyed Baker treating her like a whore.”

“A life sentence will set us free from the wretched pain she put us through,” Mirella added.

After the sentencing, Monica’s attorney, Leonard Levine, told reporters that they had already filed a notice that they would appeal the verdict.

“Monica continues to maintain her innocence, and she’s adamant that she did not commit this crime,” Levine said. “And she intends to pursue all avenues of appeal.”

Follow @hillelaron