Dino Guglielmelli

It is often said that prosecutors do not get to pick their witnesses. People who commit crimes often run in crowds of shady people. And those same shady people generally have their own criminal background. Much was made in the case against Dino Guglielmelli by his family and his defense about a man named Rick Fuhrmann. Fuhrmann was described as a business associate of Dino's but he came with his own criminal background.

Dino Guglielmelli married his wife, Monica, in 2003. They had known each other less than a year. Monica Olsen was a fashion model and Dino was an up and coming entrepreneur. The couple would settle in Santa Clarita California. Dino would make his eventual fortune with his business, Creation's Garden, in making and distributing vitamins, dietary supplements and even skin care products. At the height of the business Creation's Garden had four factories and cleared forty-eight million dollars a year. Monica would leave the fashion business and become the mother of the couple's two daughters.

At some point Monica wanted to go back to work and according to her that is when problems became more visible in their marriage. It appears that Dino was okay with Monica helping develop a skin care line for his company. It became one of their best selling lines. But, according to Monica, Dino was against her going back into the modeling industry. This was not necessarily their only issue within the marriage however. It was said that Dino never stopped dating despite his marriage. Just how much Monica knew about his infidelities is not clear but regardless it is a sign that the marriage was not all rainbows and butterflies.

Information seems conflicting as to whether it was Dino or Monica who would eventually file for divorce. The couple separated and Dino was ordered to pay child support as well as $50,000 a month in alimony. That amount would later be cut in half but it was still a hefty sum, regardless if he could afford it or not.

His business associate, Rick Fuhrmann claims this is when Dino first approached him about hiring someone to kill Monica. Fuhrmann claims that the conversations started with just trying to get “rid” of Monica and later went to specifically asking about murder. According to Fuhrmann he attempted to stall Dino in hopes that he would change his mind. He even told Dino at one point he had done something to Monica that had caused her to have the AIDS virus. But over time he realized that Dino was not going to change his mind and he alleges he feared Dino would get frustrated and find someone else to do the job. At that point Fuhrmann contacted Monica's lawyer who then contacted authorities.

Investigators needed more than the word of a known “con-man” as Fuhrmann has been described telling them that Dino Guglielmelli had actively sought his help in a murder. Rick Fuhrmann agreed to wear a wire and have a conversation with the millionaire. When asked if he was sure this is what he wanted done Dino answered with “100% sure. Why wouldn't I?” He was offering $80,000 for the deed to be done.

In October 2013 Dino Guglielmelli was arrested and charged with the solicitation and attempted murder of his wife. Upon his arrest he gave one of his brothers Power of Attorney over his business. The brother promptly filed bankruptcy and the business, including eight million dollars in stock was sold at auction in February 2014. In June of 2014 Dino pleaded guilty to attempted second degree murder and was given a nine year sentence. According to the California Department of Corrections he is eligible for parole in 2021 when he will be sixty years old.

For her part Monica fears that upon his release he will attempt to take custody of their children as well as fears for her own safety. However, Dino's family apparently does not feel the same.

This story has been told on several different documentary series' and all of the parties have seemed to participate, including family. I have blogged about cases in which there are times in which I have questioned the guilt of the accused. I have also blogged about cases in which it was difficult to not blame the victim of a crime for their own actions, even when their ultimate punishment has been death. For me this is not one of those cases. Through the television shows I have heard the tapes in which Dino and Rick Fuhrmann spoke and there is no doubt that Dino wanted Monica dead. I have not seen or heard any evidence in which Monica seemed to be responsible for any of the actions taken by her husband. And yet his family has been quick to blame her. They have defended him saying that Monica was a “gold digger” and pushed him to his limits. Of course when they are confronted with the fact that their brother was advocating for the murder of his wife they attempt to candy coat it and state that of course murder is never the right thing.... “But....” It is completely disgusting to even watch.

It is not clear what was done with the profits from the sale of Dino's company. Did it go to pay for a defense? It may have but that defense was surely less than it would have been had the case gone to trial. Was it put in a trust for Dino and Monica's children? Was it put in an account to gain interest while he serves his time and so upon his release he has his assets? It appears that no matter how you cut it this case may not be over.