Witness Testimony in Scherer III Trial Ends

His former father-in-law testified Thursday in the trial of Ernest Scherer III, accused of the 2008 murder of his parents. He was one of two witnesses on the stand in the last day of testimony. Closing arguments are expected to begin in a little more than a week.

Adrian Bal, father of Scherer's ex-wife, Robyn, testified that his former son-in-law picked a film called “Hitman” to watch on the day of his parents’ funeral in March 2008.  The film, based on a video game, follows the exploits of a bald-headed assassin.

 Bal said that his daughter and Scherer returned to his Sacramento home after the memorial services for Ernest Scherer Jr. and Charlene Abendroth. Bal said he let his son-in-law choose the film.

“I offered to break up the not-so-happy evening with a movie before I went to bed,” he said, adding that he did not watch the film with Scherer III.

Phil Dito, a county investigator with the district attorney’s office, was the last witness Thursday. He said he contacted Bal last month to confirm that Scherer chose the film “Hitman.” Dito said Bal remembered the film to be one in a three-pack that included Denzel Washington’s “Man on Fire” and Keanu Reeves’ “Street Kings.”

The trial is ending its tenth week.  Jurors will be excused for a week and return March 21, when closing statements from defense attorney Richard Foxall and Deputy District Attorney Michael Nieto are expected to begin.

Scherer finished six days of testimony earlier this week, which ended with questioning from Foxall about one of his last extramarital relationships before his arrest. Scherer said he was truthful in his relationship with Kim Olson in February 2009 after lying to his wife about his affairs.

He said he told Olson about the investigation and the ties he maintained with other women he had dated.

“I behaved badly in my relationships with some women and it’s something I very much regret,” Scherer said Monday during his last day of testimony. “I’m a human being, I make mistakes but I hope that can admit them and correct them. That’s why I wanted to be completely honest with Kim.”

Scherer also expanded on his view of his father’s finances and married life. He said his mother had complained about his father’s poker habit in a letter she sent him in 1999 when he was in college. 

Scherer also said his father’s drinking had created tension in the marriage.  He said his parents’ relationship improved dramatically after his father was arrested for driving under the influence — his third DUI arrest — and joined Alcoholics Anonymous.  The newly sober Scherer Jr. went on vacation to Australia with his wife and they returned “a completely different couple,” their son testified. 

“They came back happier and I could see that the marriage had definitely gotten better,” he said.

 Patch continues its trial coverage on March 21.