Josh Mankiewicz

Guilty. Chris Austin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a sentence that could let him out in 16 years. The catch? He would have to testify against Monica. With Baker on the defense witness list and now Austin on the prosecutors, jurors would get a front-row seat to a dramatic courtroom showdown with Monica in the middle.

Guilty. Chris Austin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a sentence that could let him out in 16 years. The catch? He would have to testify against Monica. With Baker on the defense witness list and now Austin on the prosecutors, jurors would get a front-row seat to a dramatic courtroom showdown with Monica in the middle.

January 24th, 2025, eight years almost to the day that Fabio Cementilli was murdered, his wife Monica, accused of making it happen, went on trial.

January 24th, 2025, eight years almost to the day that Fabio Cementilli was murdered, his wife Monica, accused of making it happen, went on trial.

Prosecutor Beth Silverman told the jury Monica was living a double life.

Prosecutor Beth Silverman told the jury Monica was living a double life.

And the prosecution theorized divorce was not an option.

And the prosecution theorized divorce was not an option.

The state said Monica had more to gain from murder than from divorce, including $1.6 million in life insurance. Fabio's son took the stand.

The state said Monica had more to gain from murder than from divorce, including $1.6 million in life insurance. Fabio's son took the stand.

And a friend of Baker's told the jury how Monica was planning a lavish future with her new man.

And a friend of Baker's told the jury how Monica was planning a lavish future with her new man.

Prosecutors told the jury murder was in the works for months, with Monica orchestrating all of it.

Prosecutors told the jury murder was in the works for months, with Monica orchestrating all of it.

And yet Baker knew exactly when to go there at a time when Fabio was alone.

And yet Baker knew exactly when to go there at a time when Fabio was alone.

As was this, prosecutors argued. The day Monica and Baker were arrested, police put them together in the backseat of a patrol car and listened in.

As was this, prosecutors argued. The day Monica and Baker were arrested, police put them together in the backseat of a patrol car and listened in.

To prosecutors, that was Monica worrying someone who knew about their murderous plan had squealed. If that's what she thought, she was wrong. Someone did talk, but seven years later.

To prosecutors, that was Monica worrying someone who knew about their murderous plan had squealed. If that's what she thought, she was wrong. Someone did talk, but seven years later.