UPDATE: A former Southern California attorney, David Replogle, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 2008 murder of Clifford Lambert, a Palm Springs art dealer. This urgent announcement came from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office following his conviction on July 18, 2025.
Replogle, now 76 years old, was part of a criminal scheme that targeted the elderly Lambert, who was 74 at the time of his death. Lambert was brutally stabbed in his home on December 5, 2008, and his body was later discovered buried off a mountainside in Los Angeles. This case highlights the chilling reality of financial greed leading to violent crime.
During the trial, prosecutors revealed that Replogle used his legal expertise to forge power of attorney documents, enabling him and his accomplices to steal over $185,000 from Lambert’s accounts. He also sought to liquidate the victim’s valuable assets, including his home and art collection.
In 2010, Replogle was initially convicted of murder, but that verdict was overturned due to judicial misconduct. After a retrial, a jury in August 2022 found him guilty of multiple charges, including first-degree murder and identity theft.
Court documents indicate that Replogle attempted to delay his sentencing by filing numerous motions for a new trial, all of which were denied. Ultimately, a judge sentenced him to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, underscoring the severity of his crimes.
Replogle was not alone in this heinous act; several accomplices were also convicted for their involvement. Among them is Kaushal Niroula, who tragically died in September 2022 while in custody, raising questions about the justice system’s handling of such cases.
As the community reflects on this shocking crime, it serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of financial motives in violent acts. The case has drawn significant media attention, emphasizing the need for vigilance against such predatory schemes.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office continues to urge the public to report any suspicious activity that may involve financial exploitation, particularly of vulnerable individuals. This case is a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding our communities from those who would exploit others for personal gain.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
