New Orleans Sportscaster Charged in Wife's Death
A Blueprint for Murder: Part 2
Also listed on the checklist investigators found in Marinello's home were reminders to himself to burn the clothes he had been wearing, paint the bicycle on which he had allegedly ridden up to the murder scene, discard the mustache, and "Throw the gun in the river by mama's house." None of these items the clothes, bicycle, mustache, nor the gun have been retrieved. However, still more evidence pointed toward Marinello's involvement in the crime.
A security camera mounted on the rear of the office building at 433 Metairie Road captured a 15-minute sequence of images of a man fitting the description of the disguised Marinello pacing back and forth in the parking lot. Several witnesses gave similar descriptions of the man seen riding away from the scene on a bicycle. One witness said he had seen a man fitting the same description taking a bicycle from the rear of a white Ford Taurus parked two blocks away and riding off toward the Metairie Towers Building. Another witness claims to have seen a man stowing a bicycle in the back seat of the Taurus after the shooting. It didn't take long for investigators to learn that Marinello owned a white Taurus.
Also on the checklist was Sheriff Lee's name and number, along with two other people's names and numbers whom investigators were unable to identify. When questioned by reporters, Lee said he had no idea why his name might have been on the list, even though he admitted to being friends with Marinello.
Robbery, which was initially suspected as a motive, was quickly ruled out. When police and EMTs 'arrived on the crime scene, Liz Marinello was found lying on the pavement, clutching her car keys and purse. Nothing was missing.
By the time all the clues were pieced neatly together, authorities in Jefferson Parish felt confident enough to book Marinello on one count of second-degree murder. He was taken to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in the parish seat of Gretna, and placed on round-the-clock "suicide watch." Bail was set at $250,000 by Jefferson Parish Criminal Court Commissioner Caroline Kiff.
With the help of his attorney, Donald "Chick" Foret, Marinello was able to post bond and was released on September 11, after spending four days in jail. As he walked outside the facility, Marinello had no comments to the gathering media mob. Foret's only comment was, "Mr. Marinello is going to have a good defense and all his rights will be respected."
Following his release on bail, Marinello holed up in a Metairie Road condominium owned by his 93 year old mother, in full view of the nearby office building where Liz Marinello was murdered.