Merritt was transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled. His face was stoic. The bodies of Joseph McStay, 40, and his wife Summer, 43, along with their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, were found in a shallow grave in the desert north of Victorville in 2013. Chase, you are a low-life baby killer, Blake said as Merritt stared at her impassively. The show features new suspects, witnesses, evidence, and theories regarding the case, as well as the trial from both the defendant's and prosecutor's points of view. Il avait t le premier dplorer la disparition de Joseph McStay et sa famille , en fvrier 2010. #nbc7 https://t.co/muZXjqJBFT. Summer McStay's ex-husband spoke next. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. [20] Although it is possible for a U.S. citizen to enter Mexico without a passport, one is required to reenter the United States. If I want to speak with him, I have to go to a gravesite," Michael McStay added. Video recorded the evening of February 8, released on March 5, showed a family of four resembling the McStays crossing the border. Before the sentencing was handed down, six of the McStay family's loved ones delivered tearful, spine-tingling impact statements in court, staring straight at the face of the killer who took the lives of their family. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. This despicable, evil monster. Judge just denied defense motion to reduce potential sentence to life in prison (Judge will also consider death). A license plate search for the vehicle led to the discovery that the McStay's SUV had been towed from a parking lot near San Ysidro, California, right near the U.S.-Mexico border, on February 8, 2010, four days after they went missing. Two days later, two sets of remains were officially identified as those of Joseph and Summer McStay. In the McStay family murders, Judge listens to arguments that sentence should be reduced from death penalty to life in prison without parole. Merritt looked at Blake as she spoke. [27] Merritt's trial was delayed as he had repeatedly fired his attorneys or attempted to represent himself. Here are the seven best ways to wear them this spring. Susan had her son Mike stop by the family's San Diego County home on February 13, 2010, nine days after her son was last heard from. "You had a choice. Merritt was convicted in June 2019 of the murders of his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr. (Irfan. "Hes an excellent surfer and soccer player. He was arrested last year. Susanmade an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The surviving McStay family members held an emotional memorial for. Sheriffs officials announced that the remains of the four people found buried in the desert belong to the McStay family, a Fallbrook family missing since 2010. Here are some last-minute, Best last-minute Valentines Day gifts for him, These are places to live on the West Coast, Scooter rider killed in crash near border identified, SD Co. Sheriff: 2022 inmate death now ruled a homicide, A new pirate-themed speakeasy has washed ashore in, This SD campground is among the best in America, CA extends tax deadline to Oct. 16 for disaster areas, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 'Some rough places, but you have had somebody stab me, it doesn't matter,' she noted. "Ultimately, I hope to be a father and when I am, I will hold my children close," he continued. Merritt is accused of killing his former business associate, Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer, and their two small children on Feb. 4, 2010. He was a big part of my life and my familys life. Inconclusive:After three years of searching, the San Diego Sheriff's Department investigators concluded in April 2013 that the McStay family had gone to Mexico voluntarily, Frustrating: The McStays friends and family insisted they would never go to Mexico with their children, but there was no other explanation, Heartbreaking: On November 11, 2013, an off-road motorcyclist came across the family's human remains in San Bernardino County's Mojave Desert. Chase Merritt sobs and says I did not do this thing. Ill never get another conversation with him. But speaking on CNN in 2010 he said: 'My understanding was in the last year hed been having these vertigo type symptoms. "The constant questions when we are out. "I want to psychologically mess you up," he said to Merritt. He was married to Summer McStay for seven years. No one can explain how a seemingly normal suburban family who only moved into their new home in Fallbrook, California, three months earlier, could be living a regular life one day and then vanish the next. If you were trying to save the business, Ms. Blake, what steps did you take to learn about the funds that were coming into the business and going out of the business, Maline asked, surviving an objection from Rodriguez. [19] Relatives of the McStays doubted that they would travel to Mexico, saying that Joseph and Summer avoided the country because of the safety threat posed by recent drug wars. She said the two tangled over how to keep the business afloat. See also Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, PrettyLittleThing - Offers on women's clothing, Get inspired by the newest styles and offers, Click through for ASOS promo codes this Autumn, Spend less with Missguided's exclusive codes, Treat yourself to offers on make-up and accessories, Check out the latest Wayfair sale to save on furniture. By February 2016, he had gone through five attorneys. [1][2] Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. " Finally, Joseph McStay's only surviving son from a previous marriage, Jonah McStay, took. Hes considering motion of insufficient evidence to support verdict. #McStay family visibly frustrated. Jurors in San Bernardino. He then spoke to his friend several more times on his mobile over the course of the afternoon and actually missed a call from him at 8.28pm, which was the last time Joseph used his phone. [30] On May 4, the case was scheduled to go to trial in July 2018. On the surface, while tragic, it may not seem all that crazy. With the motions finally out of the way, the judge moved on to the victim impact statements just before 11:20 a.m. Merritt was also expected to speak after the victims delivered their statements. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/xNxV3CqRtr. At the time, Joseph owned an online company named Earth Inspired Products that sold decorative water fountains. We were incredibly busy with the business, things were really flying, but he would often just have to work on his laptop from his bedroom. She said the day detectives told her they had found her family's bodies, it felt as if she'd been hit by a boulder. when an off-road motorcyclist came across them in the Mojave Desert, New weekly farmers market opens in Cardiff, Dierks Bentleys Gravel & Gold tour coming to San, Vehicle pursuit prompts lane closures on SR-76, SD animal sanctuary rescues cougar orphanedin car, 2 critically injured in head-on collision, Teenage bicyclist hurt in hit-and-run crash, Experts explain concerns, benefits from CA storms, Best deals of Presidents Day weekend 2023, Forgot about Valentines Day? Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. 14:31 EST 05 Jan 2014. [2][11], During their investigation, the police learned that around 11:00 pm on February 8, the family's Trooper had been towed from a strip mall parking lot in San Ysidro, San Diego, near the Mexican border. 'He told me he was in a hurry because he had a lunch meeting,' the dad told Killer Motive host Troy Roberts. How could you beat two precious little babies? "The extreme violence and savagery of the nature of the killings -- particularly of two small children -- far outweigh the totality of all of the mitigating evidence," the judge added. [2][12], On November 11, 2013, a dirt biker found four sets of human remains buried in two shallow graves in the desert near Victorville, California. Chase you are a low life coward and a baby killer. I was not his best friend, but he was mine and I believe he opened up to me about things he would not tell anyone else. "I loved Joseph. According to state records, Merritt had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. He asked for funds to keep the business going, and at that time I would do anything to help my son probably not in my right mind anyway at that time, she said. Jackie Collins taught me everything I know. Richard K. De Atley has been a journalist since 1975, for City News Service in Los Angeles, The Associated Press in Los Angeles and New York, and The Press-Enterprise in Riverside. On Friday, he. Charles "Chase" Merritt was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStay's wife, Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr.. She talked about how the slayings of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons have destroyed her family. A small public memorial was held Wednesday afternoon in honor of the McStay family, a couple and their two young sons whose bodies were discovered last week in the Mojave Desert. He was the last known person to see Joseph alive, during an hour-and-a-half long meeting in Rancho Cucamonga, California just hours before the family vanished into thin air. and Spanish language lessons. So unnatural," he said. This world was robbed of four beautiful souls. DNA samples were collected from the McSays' family, friends, and associates, but investigators couldn't get a search warrant to access their financial records because there was no evidence of a crime at the time. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. In the gallery sat Merritt's daughter and brother. 09:19 EST 04 Jan 2014 McStay family went missing nearly three years ago Surveillance video shows four people of similar size crossing into Mexico Relatives dispute author's claim that wife was involved in. Mike crawled through a window and discovered food rotting in the kitchen, and Summer's prescription sunglasses were also left on the table. He was such a great guy and he got his share of female attention. She said: 'My son had been sick since last August and hes normally a very healthy person. Joseph McStay; his wife, Summer; and their two children, Gianni and Joseph Mateo, have not been heard from since the night of Thursday, February 4, 2010. Charles "Chase" Merritt, 62, was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of his former business associate, Joseph McStay, 40. Two Shallow Graves takes a look at the murders of the McStay family: Joseph, Summer and their two young boys, followed by the shocking trial . How scared were they, Chase? ', Getting worried:Susan had her son Mike stop by the family's San Diego County home on February 13, 2010, nine days after her son was last heard from, Confusing: Upon Mike's arrival, he noticed that Joseph's 1996 Isuzu Trooper was missing, but their dogs were in the backyard, Abandoned: When Mike crawled through a window of the San Diego County home, he discovered food rotting in the kitchen. How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan's (very expensive) date night look! 'This despicable, evil monster. Joseph McStay's mother Susan Blake addresses the court during the sentencing of Charles Chase Merritt on Jan. 21, 2020. Charles Chase Merritt, l'associ du pre de famille retrouv mort avec femme et . As recently as April, the FBI believed the family went to Mexico voluntarily. The bodieswere found in November 2013and Merrittwas arrested and chargeda year later. Charles "Chase" Merritt was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStay's wife, Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr.. Ultimately, officials determined it was not the McStay family in that video. Merritt added: If Im honest, I have no idea why he put up with it. His mother was not available to speak to MailOnline about Merritt's latest revelations. They also linked him to a call seeking to close Joseph McStay's online bookkeeping account. How the Princess of Wales recreated her 2006 outfit from Prince William's Sandhurst graduation Behind-the-scenes at fashion week with the Spencers! ", Missing McStay family killed, buried in desert, sheriff says, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McStay_family_murders&oldid=1138842709, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 23:11. Defense attorney Rajan Maline produced a check to Merritt for $3,300 that was issued in April 2010 and signed by Blake, not on her personnel account, but on an account for Earthinspiredproducts.com. [6] Joseph owned and operated Earth Inspired Products, a company that built decorative fountains, and Summer was a licensed real estate agent. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. The back of the check said endorsement cancelled, he pointed out. That 8-hour day in court included lengthy motions arguments from Merritt's attorney, Rajan Maline, and even a moment when Merritt tried to interrupt proceedings and fire Maline. In 2010, Joseph McStay (age 40) and his wife Summer (age 43) lived in Fallbrook, California, with their sons Gianni (age 4) and Joseph Jr. (age 3). Yes, sir, McStay replied. Joseph McStay owned a custom fountain business and worked with Merritt. Merritt lashed out at prosecutors he said framed him, some witnesses he accused of lying and the judge he said allowed it to happen. We used to speak to each other 10 or 12 times almost every day and we would talk about absolutely everything. Susan said they would stop in little towns that had just a gas station and a grocery store to post flyers. On Monday, more than four years since his arrest in connection with the slayings, the family's accused killer, Charles "Chase" Merritt, is scheduled to go on trial on murder charges in San. Mother of Joseph McStay describes moment she, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Mother of Joseph McStay describes moment she learned son, family were dead, San Bernardino mountain residents grow worried as they cant access medicine, supplies, LA man arrested, suspected ofcarjackinga vehicle in Corona and firing shots at police during pursuit, Teacher at high school in Menifee arrested, suspected of inappropriate relationship with student, Baby girl Winter of Lake Arrowhead is born amid raging blizzard, her son, his wife, and their boys aged 3 and 4, Dine 909: New restaurants coming to San Bernardino, Upland and Redlands, Snow collapses roof of Goodwin and Sons, Crestlines only grocery store, Plow the roads, mountain residents say, as San Bernardino County vows to do better, San Bernardino mountain residents frustrated after volunteer helicopter efforts are restricted, Obernolte: Newsom must declare state of emergency for San Bernardino Mountains, 55-hour closures on 210 Freeway in Redlands and San Bernardino postponed again, We are coming, San Bernardino County officials tell trapped mountain residents, Shake Shack sets date for Victoria Gardens grand opening, Monday, March 13, Desperate Crestline residents help one another while awaiting assistance from San Bernardino County, Conditions for snowed-in Crestline mobile home park pretty bleak, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. His son, Joseph, his daughter-in-law, Summer, and their two little boys, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 vanished. Son of Patrick McStay and Susan Blake. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Prosecutors are seeking the death. Everything with her seemed to be done for gain.. Authorities said they traced his cellphone to the gravesite area. Merritt was arrested the following year. Don't worry, your fate will be way less tragic than that of the family you murdered. The shocking claims will stun everyone who has followed the McStay family disappearance since they first went missing back on February 4, 2010. He boasted it had a "loft/game room & big. Mystery of McStay money: Family found dead could barely afford rent. Obviously there wasnt money coming in, cause I was paying for money going out., So to your knowledge, Maline said, there is no money coming in, or you didnt learn of any money coming in.. Note:A previous version of this story misidentified the prosecutor who questioned Michael McStay. "It marked my kids.". He had a son from a previous relationship, who he didnt get to see much of and he was terrified that would happen with his two boys if he left Summer. But the details of this case go back decades and has many twists and turns. (File photo by Kurt Miller, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG), In this file photo Susan Blake, mother of Joseph McStay, breaks down while speaking at a press conference at the San Bernardino Sheriff Headquarters on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. And while he does not believe Summer was directly involved, he will dedicate a significant amount of the book to her behavior and the couples relationship. Then a few people started putting the idea in his head that maybe Summer was behind it. [23] Merritt, who reportedly was the last person Joseph called from his cell phone, also said that he had passed a polygraph test and did not know anything that could help solve the mystery of the family's disappearance. Theres nothing more valuable on this Earth than time and that was stolen from them; that was stolen from us," he said. Officers arrived at the home and requested a search warrant, executed on February 19, 2010. And the fountain designer told MailOnline how Joseph once said to him, Maybe I should start eating out more and stop eating her food. He said: Summer was a very self-centered, self-obsessed person with an awful temper. I did not do this thing.. Every time you hear a sound in prison or in a movie similar to the sounds you made that day when you murdered this family, I hope it rings loud in your ears. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges that he killed McStay, 40, a former business associate; his wife, Summer, 43, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, in their Fallbrook home on Feb. 4, 2010, then buried their bodies more than 100 miles away in two shallow graves in the Mojave Desert, north of Victorville and west of the 15 Freeway. she said. Family members react to the arrest: Summer McStays brother-in-law, Joseph Russell, speaks and then Michael McStay, brother of Joseph McStay, speaks. The newly unsealed documents indicate Joseph McStay lent Chase Merritt money to cover a gambling debt before McStay and his family disappeared in February 2010. Merritts defense team has claimed Kavanaugh is a likely suspect in the McStay family case, but was overlooked by investigators despite what they described as a deteriorating relationship with Joseph McStay in the months before the familys disappearance. Investigators believe that Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons, 4-year-old Gianni and 3-year-old Joseph, were bludgeoned to death in their home in the San Diego County community of Fallbrook on Feb. 4, 2010, San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said Friday. Three years later, their bodies were found in a remote desert location more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) away in San Bernardino County. Michael McStay remembered the day detectives told him and his family that the bodies of his brother, sister-in-law, and nephews had been discovered in the desert. Investigators also have e-mails indicating the couple asked. Last month marked the 3rd anniversary since a family of four mysteriously vanished from their Southern California home. Situated in northern San Diego County, the community is known as "The Friendly Village." Sadly, disaster would soon strike the tranquil town. So why was being grilled about her books on Mastermind so Why should I be asked to tip when I shop online? The hearing, which consumed more than 10 hours, concluded with several emotional statements from McStay's mother, brother, in-laws and surviving son, as well as from Merritt himself, who . Judge just said clearly its not timely. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/qLzXb6wJlM. On February 19, California police notified Interpol to be on the lookout for the family. On February 13, Joseph's brother Michael traveled to the McStay residence and climbed in and gained entry to the home upon finding an open window in the back. Summer had also ordered a Spanish-language education program a few months prior to their disappearance. Patrick McStay, Joseph McStay's father told CBS 8 in San Diego that authorities informed him two of the bodies found in shallow graves in the Mojave Desert on Monday were that of his son and his son's wife, Summer. You just do what you can for your son, and your family, she said. Blake said, speaking to Merritt. Prosecutors eventually discovered that about the time the family vanished thousands of dollars in checks allegedly from McStay to Merritt had been written and cashed. The attorney argued a motion to reduce Merritt's sentence in the killings of Summer McStay and the children to life in prison without the possibility of parole rather than the death penalty previously recommended by the jury that convicted Merritt. Queen Letizia of Spain is polished in a recycled Reiss skirt as she joins King Felipe VI at Repli-Kate! Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Merritt who worked with Joseph in his fountain business - said: I was extremely close to Joseph. [28], In January 2018, a trial-setting conference was scheduled for February 23. Maline spent several hours speaking before the judge. How could you beat two precious little babies? [27], Prosecutors allege that Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. The clip appeared to show a family of four crossing the border into Mexico -- a family that looked like they could have been the McStays. We dont run this circus. Do you remember writing that check? he asked. As a precaution, investigators took DNA samples from the car, but there was still no evidence of foul play. Doves were . He has been the entertainment editor, a features writer, a business writer and is now a courts and breaking news reporter. Chase Merritt, 62, is facing a potential death sentence, or life in prison. An acquaintance of Merritt's told a San Diego reporter, "I think police should look at him and anyone associated with him. But he would not even entertain the idea of cheating on her. I would never hurt him in any way. Businessman Joseph McStay, his wife, Summer, and their two young sons -- Gianni 4, Joseph Jr. 3 -- were last heard from Feb. 4. The McStay family of Fallbrook was last heard from or seen on Feb. 4, 2010. She would fawn over him and call him, her Joseppi. "The gruesome and brutal details of the crime that you committed are his family," she said to Merritt. Joseph's cellphone pinged a tower in Fallbrook. I dont remember bouncing a check, she said. His most recent felony conviction, in 2001, was for the theft of $32,000 worth of welding and drilling equipment from San Gabriel Valley Ornamental Iron Works in Monrovia, California. His son, Joseph, his daughter-in-law, Summer, and their two little boys - Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 . Homicide investigators search the family's home on Avocado Vista Lane and found no sign of a struggle. I know you dont believe me and thats what kills me, he added. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/Ojp02cg2cJ. The book will be released later this year. Patrick McStay has waited for this day, when he finally gets to speak in court, gets to speak for his slain son Joseph McStay, daughter-in-law Summer and two young grandsons. His arrest was announced on November 7, 2014. Joseph McStay the father of the family of four found dead in the California desert after vanishing nearly four years ago had suspicions his wife was POISONING him in the days before their disappearance, according to an explosive new book. "[22], In January 2014, Merritt said that he might write a book about the family, alleging that Summer had anger issues and that Joseph had been ill for some time with a mysterious ailment. We're just the clowns.". Why? Imes asked, and Michael broke down on the witness stand. The sentencing was supposed to begin at 8:30 a.m. but was delayed by about an hour because Merritt, for unknown reasons, wasn't transported to the courthouse. Crying for Mommy and Daddy? 'It's like they went poof,' Susan recalled. I would never have hurt him in any way. Joseph was 40 years old while his wife Summer was 43 making them a rather young family. Their remains were eventually discovered in the Mojave Desert near Victorville, California, about 100 miles from their home. 'They actually thought that was really them going over the border on the video,' said Susan, who was skeptical but still headed to Mexico to search for her family. Instead, they said, authorities zeroed in on an innocent man. But when Rodriguez questioned her Tuesday, Blake said, Thats what was said, but I dont know for sure.. Just stop all the appeals, all the shenanigans. By
Charles "Chase" Merritt appears at his sentencing hearing in San Bernardino, California, on Jan. 21, 2020. Victorville, California - Four years ago, Patrick McStay lost everything he loved. It cant be, Susan Blake testified after she regained herself. All of the motions were denied. McStay says he's felt all along that multiple people were involved in the February 2010 disappearance of his son, Joseph; Joseph's wife, Summer; and their children; 3-year-old Joey and. Joseph, 40, was suffering from a mystery illness in the months before he went missing with Summer and their two young children, and would spend days in bed barely able to walk. On February 15, Michael phoned the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSD) and reported that his brother and his family were missing. Blake was followed in testimony by her son and Joseph McStays brother, Michael McStay who said Joseph gave him $2,000 to start his fire sprinkler system business. I was just trying to keep the customers or whoever was calling calm and hopefully to keep the business going. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. She really didnt like anyone being around Joseph and the family other than herself and a very small, selective group of people. Testimony in the trial is scheduled to continue Wednesday. The 58-year-old Merritt is. "So unnatural. I would never raise my hand to a woman or a child.". Joseph McStay's mother, Susan Blake, followed. A neighbor's security camera was triggered at 7:47PM when the McStays . Merritt is charged with killing his business associate Joseph McStay; McStay's wife, Summer; and their 3- and 4-year-old sons. He didnt know what was wrong with him and he was desperate. Josephs illness was well documented and had left his entire family completely baffled. Arguing, and Dan just wasnt going to budge, she said. Merritt was due to speak next. The McStays' skeletal remains were unearthed along with a three-pound rusted sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon a bra and a child's pants and diaper.