Ernest Scherer Murder Trial to be Featured on CBS “48 Hours Mystery”

Court testimony from the Ernest Scherer III murder trial reveals that the poker player joked in a letter to a friend that the double homicide of his father and mother might end up profiled on CBS’ “48 Hours Mystery”.  That letter was read to jurors by prosecutor Michael Nieto's during opening arguments in the trial a few weeks ago.

Scherer III is on trial for the brutal March 2008 murder of his parents, Ernest Scherer Jr., 60, and Charlene Abendroth, 57, in their Castlewood, California home.  Prosecutors claim the murder scene was concocted to look like a home invasion.

It appears as if Scherer III’s prediction might be coming true.  A staffer for the CBS news magazine has recently been in attendance during the trial.  It is not immediately known what plans the program has as to if or when it will air a segment about the case.

Prosecutors contend that Scherer III owed substantial gambling debts and bludgeoned the couple in order to obtain a $1.5 million inheritance.  The elder Scherer had previously refused a loan to Ernie.  Court testimony from Scherer III’s sister last week described heated arguments over the years with the defendant and his mother, a strict Mormon, regarding his gambling addiction. 

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Department initially reached out to Gambling911.com in order to assist in bringing national media attention to the case.  Knowing that Scherer III had traveled across country to attend poker tournaments, law enforcement hoped friends and other acquaintances of Scherer III would come forward.  At the time, the younger Scherer was considered a lead suspect in the case and believed to be attending the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. 

The trial is expected to go through March. 

- Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher