A poker pro suspected of murdering his mother and poker pro father is attending the 2008 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

As has been reported, poker pro Ernest Scherer III of Brea, California, USA, is the prime suspect in the March murders of his parents, Ernest Scherer Jr., also a professional poker player, and his wife, Charlene.

Mr. and Mrs. Scherer were found beaten to death in their home in Pleasanton, near Oakland, California, USA, on March 14, 2008.

The especially bloody beatings suggest a personal angle in the motive: that the killer knew the victims.

Police suspect the Scherer’s son in the murders and have searched his home and car for clues.

A car matching a description of the son’s car was seen driving near the parents’ home shortly before the murders.

The son has not yet been arrested.

According to a police source involved in the murder investigation, murder suspect Ernest Scherer III this week has been attending the 39th annual WSOP at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Vegas.

As the son is the key suspect in the killings, police in California are keeping close tabs on his whereabouts.

It is unclear whether the suspected double-murderer is merely attending the WSOP as a spectator or is entering any of the 55 tournaments that comprise the WSOP.

So far, his name has not appeared on the WSOP logs that list those finishing in the money in each WSOP tournament.

The son’s deceased father did play in the WSOP last year.

Ernest Scherer Jr., who according to records won $25,108 in his career playing tournament poker, won $7,775 in an Omaha tourney at the 2007 WSOP.

Ernest Scherer III, according to records, has won $298,847 in his career playing tournament poker, including $34,362 in a Texas hold ‘em tourney at the 2006 WSOP.

Ernest Scherer III is not the only poker pro of questionable character at this year’s WSOP.

Poker pro Shahram Sheikhan, who served nine months in jail on child molestation charges and has been dubbed the “Poker Pervert,” has played in at least two events at the 2008 WSOP.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)