After a devastating 2021 shooting claimed one life and left another shattered, a California family has found some solace with the conviction of former MLB pitcher David Moretti for the murder and attempted murder of his in-laws. The verdict, delivered after years of grief, marks a turning point in a chilling tragedy.
On July 14, 2025, a Placer County jury convicted 51-year-old David Moretti of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and first-degree burglary in a Lake Tahoe-area shooting. The jury also upheld special allegations, including lying-in-wait, felony murder, and firearm use, according to the district attorney’s office.
The crime unfolded on June 5, 2021, when Robert Kline, 70, was found shot dead in his Homewood residence. His wife, Ellen Kline, 68, survived multiple gunshot wounds but faced severe physical and emotional trauma, ultimately taking her own life a year later. Moretti, married to the Klines’ daughter, was linked to the crime through a meticulous investigation.
Days after the shooting, authorities released security footage showing a man in a hoodie and light pants near the Klines’ home, entering their garage past a parked SUV. Described as a person of interest, the figure remained unidentified for over two years. In October 2023, Moretti was arrested in Nevada, alongside 33-year-old Lisa Carter, a suspected accomplice who reportedly worked as a nanny for the family. Both were extradited to California, with Moretti also facing unrelated child abuse charges, though details remain unclear.
The six-week trial featured extensive evidence and witness testimony. “It’s been four years of agony since my parents were shot,” said Jessica Kline, the victims’ daughter. “Today, justice finally arrived.”
Moretti’s past tells a story of faded glory. Drafted by a major league team in 1992 at 18, he debuted in 1996, playing for several franchises, including Chicago and San Diego. A 2007 suspension for performance-enhancing drugs marred his career, and he later played internationally before opening a Nevada bar in 2013. A 2015 TV appearance highlighted his financial ruin—millions lost to divorce and bad investments, with debts over $300,000.
Sentencing is set for August, offering the Kline family a measure of closure after a long, painful journey. While questions linger, the verdict stands as a testament to justice prevailing in the face of betrayal.
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