Yesterday, testimony concluded in the nine week trial of Ernest Scherer II, a professional poker player accused of murdering his parents near Oakland, California. Scherer testified that he “absolutely did not” murder his parents, citing that he was nowhere near Pleasanton, the crime scene, when they were killed.

Scherer’s back story isn’t a pretty one. At the time of his parents’ killing, he lived in Brea with his wife, Robyn, and their son Ernest. Though their $880,000 home is beautiful on the outside, it hid a massive gambling debt Scherer had amassed in Las Vegas, not to mention a barely-affordable mortgage. Michael Nieto, the prosecutor, built his case on Scherer’s financial pressures as motivation for murder.

Scherer admitted to cheating on his wife and spending exorbitant amounts of money on girlfriends across the United States. From Craigslist to New Orleans, Scherer built a web of connections, splurging money and gifts on his contacts. He dug himself into a financial hole but, still desiring his big living lifestyle, took a $616,000 loan from his parents to buy his house.

When asked during the initial investigation, Scherer stated that his financial situation was positive and stable, when in fact he was under intense debt pressure. Later during the trial, he back tracked and said, “It was a bad decision” to misrepresent the situation, but “if my financial situation had been known, it would make them more likely to focus their investigation on me.”

The closing arguments are expected to be completed by March 24th. Immediately after, Scherer will hear the verdict of the alleged two counts of murder. Scherer faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, if convicted.