Attorney Sentenced to Life for Role in Art Dealer’s Murder
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Former attorney David Replogle, 76, was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for his role in the brutal 2008 murder of Palm Springs art dealer and socialite Clifford Lambert.
The case, notorious for its mix of greed, deception, and cold-blooded violence, saw Replogle and five accomplices lure and kill Lambert, 74, in his home, before burying his body in a remote Los Angeles mountainside.
Lambert, a wealthy collector and social figure, was stabbed to death on December 5, 2008. His remains were later identified by a skull and jawbone recovered by authorities.
A Murder Driven by Greed
Prosecutors revealed that Replogle, then a practicing attorney, used his legal authority to forge power of attorney documents, which the group used to gain access to Lambert’s home, bank accounts, and valuable art collection.
The conspirators managed to steal $185,000 from Lambert’s accounts before their plot unraveled.
Replogle was initially convicted in 2010, but the verdict was thrown out after a judge allegedly made prejudicial comments about one co-defendant’s HIV status, which led to a retrial.
Now, nearly 17 years after the murder, justice has been delivered. Replogle faced eight felony counts, including:
- First-degree murder
- Criminal conspiracy
- Burglary
- Grand theft
- Identity theft
- Forgery
Replogle Denies Involvement
Despite the mountain of evidence, Replogle has maintained his innocence. Earlier this year, he claimed in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter that he was denied a fair trial.
“This is right out of Putin’s Russia,” Replogle said, asserting that key defense witnesses were not allowed to testify.
But prosecutors rejected these claims, and multiple motions for a new trial were denied.
The Other Conspirators
The elaborate plot involved five others:
- Kaushal Niroula, a conman who posed as a Nepali prince
- Daniel Garcia
- Miguel Bustamante
- Craig McCarthy
- Russell Manning
Niroula and Manning have since died. Garcia and Bustamante were also sentenced to life in prison. McCarthy, who testified against the others, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and is eligible for parole next year.
An Elaborate, Chilling Plot
The case captured public attention for its bizarre cast of characters and chilling motives. Niroula’s false identity as an exiled royal allowed the group to gain Lambert’s trust.
Replogle’s involvement — using his status as an attorney to legitimize forged documents and facilitate fraud — shocked many in the legal community.
Riverside County prosecutors emphasized the brutal nature of the crime and the calculated way the conspirators targeted an elderly man for financial gain.
“This was about greed, exploitation, and deception,” the District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
With Replogle now sentenced to life behind bars, the case serves as a grim reminder of how manipulation and privilege can be used to orchestrate horrific crimes — and how long justice may take to arrive.
