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McStay Family Murders: Charles Chase Merritt Arrested In The Murders of McStay Family

Posted by BOC Staff | Chase Merritt,Chubba McStay,Dan Kavanaugh,Gianni McStay,Heather McFadden,Jonah McStay,Joseph McStay,McStay,Michael McFadden,Michael McStay,Patrick McStay,Summer McStay | Friday 7 November 2014 11:55 am

This is a developing story, please check back for details.

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Comments (580)

580 Comments

Alli says:

January 23, 2015 at 9:55 pm

Unsealed SDSD Warrants

Found here:

http://www.10news.com/news/judge-to-decide-whether-to-unseal-warrants-in-mcstay-case
Alli says:

January 24, 2015 at 9:48 am

Thank you, Blink, for always answering my questions.

Bereaved family members should not get a pass if laws were broken. DK was a part of the suspected theft of funds, too, and should be held accountable. How convenient for them to use their grief as a reason to get a pass.

We agree- most especially because I will never understand how some helped themselves to things that did not belong to them- and belonged to people they say they loved. A major point here- any allegations that any of that was done to support Joey’s son Jonah is an absolute lie.
B
Alli says:

January 24, 2015 at 5:25 pm

What a terrible thing that Mike would lie about such a thing. On more than one occasion, Mike said the money was given to Jonah. That’s a crime in itself.

It is not a crime that I am aware of that he would give Jonah $$. I just know as a certainty that Jonah’s child support was paid automatically for a time and that it would be false for Mike McStay to suggest he was filling that burden by selling or giving away Joey and Summer’s things. It’s a legal issue- I presume that Mike McStay had a conversation with someone that informed him of Jonah’s heir status and made statements and gifts accordingly. I do believe that the probate process can address this if needed.

B
Cupcake says:

January 25, 2015 at 4:12 pm

I agree with Alli. It seems as if the brother of JOey McStay has dodged A LOT of bullets. He fraudulently took a loan on his bro’s business and NEVER faced charges for that. Sorry, he shouldn’t get a Pass on the pilfering of his brother’s assets. I guess playing the part of a clueless fool has worked quite well. JMO. It’s a shame there are no consequences and it seems to me MM is only flying higher after the slaughter of his brother and family. Sad. Sad. Sad.

I don’t know that he won’t face consequences. I would agree that stealing is stealing and the law is the law- however, I would not be surprised to hear that it was handled privately in probate court. Here’s the thing- it will be decided as to how and if it will effect any of the homicide charges.
B
Jane says:

January 26, 2015 at 7:30 pm

I know all of you have more computer skills than I. Today there was an article on McStays along with photos, on Daily Mail website. Can someone link it over here.
Alli says:

January 26, 2015 at 9:12 pm

I think the pilfering of the bank account would be considered electronic wire and bank fraud which would be a federal crime and heard in federal court, as opposed to a probate court, wouldn’t it Blink?

I wish I had a better answer Alli- and no LEO will say this plainly- but it is a strategy issue at the moment.
It squarely rests on the intent of transactions, and the weight of the pending charges. It just does for now.
B
Goat says:

January 27, 2015 at 10:53 am

Blink,
Blunt force trauma cause of death.
Would this include strangulation with a rope or cord or choke hold?
And thus no blood evidence at the crime scene.

No, it would not. Ramos is on record there was a specific weapon, and it is my opinion that all 4 were killed with the same weapon, similarly, based on Ramos’s commentary.

That does not mean that there were not contributory (proximal) causes on the autopsy protocols, but BFT is defined by kinetic output or force (energy) and length of contact with the victim in some instances.

There is no doubt in my mind that deaths caused by BFT to all 4 persons at one location would produce a very significant amount of blood spatter, loss and physical evidence of same. The truth is I have several hundred hours of crime scene study/training of just BFT homicide alone. It would be the first case I have ever seen with 4 victims killed in one location with a similar weapon (by non-participant victim homicide) of BFT that was undetected as a crime scene for several years and there is one alleged perpetrator where the attack spans over a period of several hours. I do not believe the theory that has been presented by the State can be proven as stated because one thing about BFT homicides that is present in every single case I have ever studied or worked on- and that is the inability of the offender to remove all evidence of same to the naked eye with a very basic search of the premises or scene. I am of the opinion that the State is swayed based on evidence that is linked to the home, as opposed to physical evidence (blood) at the scene. Murdering 4 individuals to include small children via BFT with no physical evidence and then of course transporting them in known vehicles which contain no traces of same- is a defense attorney’s dream.
B
Goat says:

March 3, 2015 at 12:01 pm

Blink
looking over pictures of the grave sites it appears that the graves are about 30 feet apart. Separate tire tracks leading to each grave. It seems possible that there were two different times of burial. I am thinking that maybe Joey was killed and buried first and then the killer went and killed summer and the kids. returned to the site and buried them. Just a thought blink. Any comments appreciated.
Goat says:

March 3, 2015 at 12:04 pm

Blink
looking over pictures of the grave sites it appears that the graves are about 30 feet apart. Separate tire tracks leading to each grave. It seems possible that there were two different times of burial. I am thinking that maybe Joey was killed and buried first and then the killer went and killed summer and the kids. returned to the site and buried them. Just a thought blink.
Any comments appreciated.
P.S. Could it be that Joey was buried in one grave and Simmer and the kids in the other one?

I don’t think the answer about who was killed where and when is discernible by reviewing satellite/google/bing. I think the cell records to combine with pings and what the victims were wearing , and what was located with their remains will provide more answers. Keep in mind they were in the desert for nearly 4 years and to my knowledge, a great deal of Joey’s remains were located outside of any grave.
B
Rose says:

March 10, 2015 at 9:14 pm

“Murdering 4 individuals to include small children via BFT with no physical evidence and then of course transporting them in known vehicles which contain no traces of same- is a defense attorney’s dream.
B”

are we taking BFT in the home as true?
Imo lots of easier ways to kill than 4 successive BFTs to include 2 toddlers.
If true, implies high on drugs with abnormal aggression,
or say manic psychotic. Not the preferred MO of the ordinary killer of 4, children or not.
—
Have you given Mikie a bye on these homicides?
I would guess deep doodoo debt & an “unsupportive” bro might motivate some bottomfisher type.

I personally do not believe Mike McStay ever had a direct hand in the deaths of his brother, sis in law and nephews. That said- there is much information that is not public relative to Joey and Summer’s estate I believe needs to be dealt with properly.
B
Rose says:

March 10, 2015 at 9:20 pm

I just went to Redacted’s Blog, who was frothing at the mouth as usual v Mikie.

As he says he is in NC, do you think he’s going to pick up on or care about the abduction of Sara Nicole Graham?
And if he doesn’t, what is itbabout Joey McStay (other than he is a cute warm male)
that calls Redacted’s name over other abduction victims closer to home? (who arefemale)

It would be my sincere hope that redacted takes at whack at that swamp-hive. But no- he won’t. He forged his chains and they fo shizz don’t float.
B
Rose says:

March 10, 2015 at 9:54 pm

http://www.myfoxla.com/story/27326811/arrest-made-in-slain-mcstay-family-shallow-grave-case
I have gone to media who quote Sheriff as BFT in the home.
Personally, imo that would take a coldblooded, also high on drugs,!Chas Manson type, who’d moreover leave evidence. If what the Sheriff says is true, it is not Merritt nor any of the present cast of characters,
Rose says:

March 13, 2015 at 1:21 pm

Redacted has just published a very detailed time line of the McStays & associates.
For over a decade, both adults & several associates appear characterologically to be
first rate con artists leading unstable, opportunistic lives. I don’t wonder at all that they met their fate given their proclivities. The oddball is the BFT of their young. Making an example? sending a message?
seems to be vague NY & Fla ties. Does organized crime kill the young? (not rhetorical, genuine Q).

Can you privately send me the link- I don’t have whatever version of a post reddy has.
And to answer your question- Organized crime and RICO are not my strengths, but required working knowledge tells me if we are referring to the age old Italian initiated syndicates – absolutely never are they killing toddlers.

Now- I could answer the question briefly as to the cartel version- but it would be a waste of time because this is not that.

B
Alli says:

March 13, 2015 at 6:52 pm

Rose, who do you think may have committed these crimes? Cartel connection?
Alli says:

March 14, 2015 at 8:46 am

May I ask who Redacted is? Is there a link for this blog?

RB
B
Alli says:

March 14, 2015 at 7:44 pm

Thank you, Blink.
Rose says:

March 15, 2015 at 9:43 pm

@alli, just google rickbaker blog.
but I don’t read 99% of it,
or often, or think it holds water
but who can mess up bad an objective time line.
if data is correct?

who did it?
the possibilities are limitless.
But who would BFT infants?

massive rage,
very high on drugs?
bipolar manic?
sociopathic?
mob hit? (I don’t think so)

I vaguely remembef mexican crime lords do kill/kidnap kids this way

I reviewed quickly. There are a few things on there I was aware of that to my knowledge had not been reported- HOWEVER, there is a lot wrong- as an example- that timeline does not match the phone records so it is my presumption he is missing a bunch.
B
Rose says:

March 15, 2015 at 9:44 pm

Perhaps it is tied to McStay/Summef Mexico-based
activities, perhaps as yet unknown
Rose says:

March 15, 2015 at 9:46 pm

@Blink. not Italy.
Crime lords originating in Mexico.

Yes, potentially, but if they were going to do that it would be for an example and they would never hide it- they would wish to be every clear they were responsible.
B
Rose says:

March 16, 2015 at 7:02 pm

I was amazed at the timeline not qua fimeline nor for accuracy but for the transiencies listed
(of place, of intersts, of jobs, of connections), particularly of wife.

I hear you. I feel like addressing this is fodder for a defense strategy but your feedback is fair. In my view unrelated to her death- but Summer had a rough childhood.
B
Alli says:

March 16, 2015 at 8:58 pm

Thank you for directing me to this timeline. Lots of info there I had never heard of. What is fact from fiction though? It’s hard to discern.

Chase also had a hearing today.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/16/mcstay-merritt-discovery-motion-hearing/
A Texas Gramdfather says:

March 17, 2015 at 8:38 pm

Rose

I have read the RB time line and can come to just one conclusion regarding Summer. She lived on the edge for a long time and tried to conceal her identity for some reason. Somewhere she stiffed the wrong person or persons and I think it isn’t Chase.

I can see how people get to that conclusion- it is a factor in victimology and that can’t be excluded. I admit I feel a bit protective of her considering the outcome and because.. I have no basis for it other than extensive research and analysis I chose not to publish- (because I am not “Roasted Brain” I am not going to publish things that are inflammatory) that has me considering the possibility of early childhood abuse ( not her Mother). I can’t be more specific because there is a great absence of information I would need right around the early tweens. There are historic markers of interest for me- that is as far as I can go without speculating.

One thing I would say- is that if Summer were trying to cover anything up- I can assure you she would not have sought a therapist for her child and her family. I expressly believe that Summer was avoiding or hiding from her paternal family tree for reasons I do not know- and reasons I suspect the Aranda family is not willing to answer or share. Whatever it is or was- I often find that when people with such painful backgrounds have children- it changes them in the ways that they do not wish for their “issues” to continue to affect them or their family in their new role. I have interviewed friends and family members off the record and I am satisfied that I will never know exactly what was going on- except to say that she was thought of kindly, possessed great friend and ally qualities and 100% stated she was a devoted mother.

And- that I don’t think her prior “life” had anything to do with what happened- I think it had everything to do with the present and centered around Joey’s business.
B

I am hesitant to discuss this because I have never found any link to that possibility and her/their disappearance and death.
Rose says:

April 3, 2015 at 9:31 pm

Chase’s Press Release and Mr Redacted’s responsive blog post.
I am with Redacted on this one.
Rose says:

April 15, 2015 at 9:52 pm

@Blink. Will you interview Chase by phone
for his 15 min the way Baker did?

How about the two vehicle tire track thing?

I would be precluded from having any discussion with Merritt but I doubt he would allow me to interview him anyway- I have always sucked at softball.
B
Alli says:

April 28, 2015 at 6:52 pm

Just checking in for an update. Blink, has the estate been settled yet? Any new information regarding possible crimes committed against the estate?

It has not been and unfortunately no new information. It is my opinion that evidence released during trial or discovery will alter any estate filings or discussions.
B
June Watterson says:

April 29, 2015 at 7:31 pm

It seems to me that if someone has at least 5 days to clean up mess then they could get rid of evidence visible to the eye. Also if you take into consideration that the carpeting and flooring was new. Pull it not be replaced without anyone knowing. We do not know what evidence the police have exactly. I would think that what is visible to the eye is not always an indication of what has happened. Bodies in plastic bags could stop blood spattering in car. Just a guess

Welcome June.
As a criminal investigative analyst- I can tell you I have substantive doubt that all 4 were victims of BFT in that home and then transported from the residence.
B
Rose says:

May 10, 2015 at 12:17 am

long program tonite advertised by R Baker of a Trish Griffith on blogtalkradio. He said he likes her but she was an exceptionally vacuous presence as interviewer . I heard it from about 45 min after it began til I fell asleep as he and she hanged Chase. She had predetermined Chase was guilty as hell. I came away liking Kavanaugh. Patrick pictured Mikey as a selfabsorbed hapless bumbler. Patrick came across as very wellspoken, heartfelt, incisive, & persuasive, thus I think him an exemplary con man.
GraceintheHills says:

May 16, 2015 at 1:48 am

Rose, why do you think Patrick McStay is a con man?
Alli says:

May 18, 2015 at 7:02 pm

Just a reminder, the preliminary hearing is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:00 AM, PST.
Ode says:

May 19, 2015 at 6:59 pm

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Charles-Merritt-McStay-Murders-Prelim-Delayed-Again-304283801.html
****
We will have to wait a few more days on this prelim. Honestly CM wants to represent himself is just mere stupidity.

No doubt the discovery leading up to the prelim has changed his mind.
B
Rose says:

May 20, 2015 at 9:58 pm

@GraceintheHills. Because of his interview (content & style)
on the radio only. Perhaps I was too hasty.
Rose says:

May 20, 2015 at 10:03 pm

My point was he is A+, & first rate as a con (meaning
to be complimentary); the alternative is he is right
about everything he said on that radio program
–as that’s how he sees himself.
My def of Con: persuade someone as to something using deceptive
speech.
Alli says:

May 20, 2015 at 10:07 pm

Interesting….

Man accused of killing McStays hires defense team

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/may/20/mcstay-family-chase-merritt-attorney-team-hired/
Rose says:

June 3, 2015 at 6:27 pm

alleged emails by joey & summer on Baker blog (yetch) today are nevertheless worth a read
Alli says:

June 5, 2015 at 4:56 pm

Rose, I just went over there to see what you were talking about and the latest topic about evidence and the preliminary hearing blew me away. As you said, the emails you discussed are also worth the read. I can’t wait for the 15th.

Which emails- I am having trouble navigating that quicksand. How does anyone claim to consult a “murder expert” I don’t even know what that is. I do not feel a person without a blip of legal training or training within the criminal justice system should think they know a “DA’s angle.”

As an example, there are no motions on the table for prosecutorial conduct because the preliminary hearing has not even taken place. Hello?

B
Alli says:

June 5, 2015 at 7:55 pm

Blink, the emails that I think Rose was talking about are found under the CPS topic over there.
Rose says:

June 8, 2015 at 10:05 pm

@Blink. I didn’t want to link the blathering Baker blog, but if you want the emails I will. Right now he’s comparing
who’s the better perp, Mike or Chase? the Mike stuff is a guide to reasonable doubt to Chase’ defense attorney.
Alli says:

June 10, 2015 at 7:03 pm

Rose, oh my goodness! It’s quite the list! It definitely has the potential to raise doubt IMO.
Scout says:

June 15, 2015 at 11:32 pm

Hi Blink-

Are you going to write about the horrific torturous murders of Savvas, Amy & Phillip Savopoulos and their housekeeper Vera Figueroa? I’m so haunted by this story. Another family ruined because of greed.
Only one arrest so far but seems there are many others involved. SS’s newly hired assistant (JW) who dropped off the money has changed his story and has ties to suspect Daron Wint. Do you think he has any involvement?

It’s been over a month and only one arrest. All of these animals need to be apprehended, like yesterday.

Would love to hear any insight you have on the case.

I would love to cover that case- I don’t think I will have the time, I have 3 in the queue I have been trying to work on when I get 3 seconds, to your point, I absolutely believe Wint had an insider.
B
GraceintheHills says:

June 16, 2015 at 12:13 am

DDA Imes and Daugherty made a very strong case against Merritt today, but presented only a portion of the evidence they have collected. The injuries on the skeletal remains suggested overkill of Summer and Gianni. White electric cord was wrapped around Joey’s neck and he had a fractured leg, rib, and there was a large defect/hole in the back of his skull that was consistent with him being hit by a sledgehammer. Much of the evidence strongly suggested that the murders occurred in the Fallbrook home: towels from the home in the graves; blue masking tape that the McStays were using was found bunched in a towel in one of the graves; Joey’s remains wrapped in what appeared to be the missing futon cover; and all victims were barefoot.

Such a sad case.

Indeed it is horribly sad Grace. I wish I had your confidence in the State’s case. I am going to have to reserve my opinion until I see some actual discovery. Right now for me there are more questions than answers as to the facts in evidence than I am comfortable with.

That said, what this family went through on February 4th 2010 is the kind of thing that should remind us that there is evil out there. The person or persons responsible for this, and I do strongly believe is Merritt is involved/responsible he did not act alone- are without souls, imo.
B
Rose says:

June 16, 2015 at 8:11 pm

@GitH. Have you a link to Prelim evidence?
(seeking a crutch, low functionality)
What I’ve seen = a crime of passion while high.
Thinking there may be an unknown perp not in the
current cast of characters,
Who was the painter?
Was he a huffer?

Rose- here’s one

http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/15/us/mcstay-family-killing-preliminary-hearing/

The painter was an Aranda family friend who had done work for the McStay’s before and iirc, had to be back in Mexico for some reason.

Of note: Note a single mention of any blood evidence or correlating evidence to suggest the murders occurred in the residence. The intimation is that it did, and Merritt somehow painted over it-

B
Rose says:

June 16, 2015 at 8:12 pm

and was her ex-hub a huffer?
Rose says:

June 17, 2015 at 2:20 pm

painted over blood evidence? where’s my csi channel?
ty for link

lol, don’t bother, not going to find a relevant Stare Decisis on that.

If the assertion is that she only wore a bra at the time of her death, well, you know.
B
Rose says:

June 17, 2015 at 2:29 pm

from that link
“The evidence heard so far seems to indicate the family was accosted and perhaps even bludgeoned to death at home. Signs of renovation work — paint and new hardwood flooring — were found in the open kitchen and family room. Summer McStay wore no top when her body was unearthed, and her bra was spattered with paint. The paint color matched the paint found in the home, according to testimony. The sledge hammer contained smears of the same paint.”

I still go with crime of passion while high perhaps by an unknown. .
It would fit Summer’s profile to have Terri-you-know-who-like have hired an hourly fly by night to speed up or effect her version of a renovation unbeknownst to hubbie, and my neighbor once told me many bottom feeder residential painters are also substance abusers from years of fumes.

Respectfully, in the midst of one of my most burdened semesters this winter to spring, yours truly took it upon herself to infuse completion of 4 rooms that had builders white that we could not get to previously, and more directly, I had not decided the color scheme nor the budget to hire outside.

I am no stranger to the DIY, lol, in fact, in many projects I rather enjoy it. That said, I truly do not believe painting professionals do so out of habit.

If it is to be believed that Chase Merritt was involved, this was a planned event- although I completely agree that there are elements that appear to be “emotional”. I just don’t have enough intel in terms of the autopsy protocol to have an opinion, but the e-forensics indicate a plan.

I am nowhere near concluding this is the work of one man- Hell, I can’t even confirm Merritt was actually painting in the home.

My prelim thoughts have not left me- he did not act alone ( if involved and I believe he was).
B
Ode says:

June 17, 2015 at 8:25 pm

http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/bloodunderpaint.pdf

Interesting study of painted over blood splatter from 2006.

I can not begin to digest what happened to this family. Hitting a baby with a sledgehammer in the head 7 times takes my breath away. Why such anger at the child.
GraceintheHills says:

June 17, 2015 at 8:35 pm

Did any of you follow all the tweets from reporters in the court room? I was impressed with the evidence that was presented.

The prosecution painted Merritt as someone who was embezzling money directly from Joey’s 2nd QB account starting on Feb 1, three days before the murders. Merritt had added his name to this account, even though he was listed as a vendor on Joey’s first QB account. Merritt began generating checks to himself, then immediately after printing the checks, was deleting them from the program (this idiot clearly had no understanding at all of computer forensics). At one point after the murders on or about Feb 9th he called QB, identified himself as Joey, and tried to close this second QB account. He was not able to delete the account because he didn’t have Joey’s email password.

The prosecution implied that on the morning of the 4th, Joey became aware of these forged checks and called his bank. Then, Joey drove to RC to confront Merritt. Merritt has changed his stories many times, but, at one point, he did admit that he and Joey argued at that lunch. Merritt has “voids” in his cell phone usage the night of the murders, and intermittently for several days after the murders. On Feb 6th, his cell phone pinged for almost three hours off two towers near the high desert where the bodies were found.

Also, Merritt’s girlfriend, who initially corroborated his alibi, changed her tune after confronted by other evidence. Merritt lied to LE saying that he was visiting his sister in Victorville when his cell phone was pinging near the graves, but his sister said he not only was not with her on that date, she had not seen him since 2009.

Also, the white vehicle leaving the McStay’s house the night of the murders was not the McStay vehicle.

The transcripts will be available soon.

Grace- I so appreciate you recapping in this case- thank you.

I am an analyst so I am all about the transcript of course- I have filed for a copy.

That said- and I openly admit I have analyzed some electronic evidence in this case, I do not believe Joey had 2 QB accounts, I believe you are referring to 2 different bank accounts. You can link multiple accounts to your QB software. In 2010 QB did not have realtime processing or EFT so checks needed to be printed manually. I believe however, the ability to reconcile daily transactions within the framework of the software was available so if Joey was keeping a watchful eye on his accounts or had them set to sync and alert if you will, he would have been all over the notifications.

It is true he was on the phone with one of the banks (intentionally not naming) at least 2x the morning of the 4th and immediately before meeting with Merritt. I think we will also learn of two other funding sources that Chase accessed, or at least Joey was concerned he had or would be able to.

I know that one of the checks in question was deposited on June 4th in the afternoon- it is my firm belief that Joey never made it back to Fallbrook, or if he did, he was incapacitated at that point and Merritt had his phone.

I am very interested in seeing Merritt’s call detail- I remain unconvinced he acted alone and that all the murders occurred in the home.
B

As an example, if his pho
GraceintheHills says:

June 17, 2015 at 9:49 pm

In addition, Merritt was asked several times if he ever drove the McStay’s Izuzu Trooper and he said “No, but I have ridden in it.” The SDCSD took a cheek swab for DNA from Merritt early on in the investigation. Merritt’s DNA was found to be a minor contributor on the Trooper’s steering wheel and gear shift. Joey’s DNA was a major contributor; Summer’s DNA was trace.

I will have to find the exact quote Grace, but I am positive in a DISAPPEARED episode DuGal is quoted that there was no foreign DNA found in the trooper- I believe his words were that there was no DNA found of anyone that was not supposed to “be there”. I don’t believe his DNA in the trooper is forensically significant because 1) he admitted he rode in it. 2) He just had lunch with Joey- that transfer could have come simply from shaking his hand or sharing a fork, throwing away his soda, etc. The defense can counter that easily, imo. Iirc, he was also at the McStay home both Saturday as a dinner guest and the evening of the 3rd.
B
GraceintheHills says:

June 17, 2015 at 10:54 pm

Rose, I have never seen a perp who is high/intoxicated bludgeon four family members to death, and then have the wherewithal to transport them 100 miles, dig two graves, then bury them in the desert…and come back to clean the scene. Never.

In my career experience, perps who are highly intoxicated and commit murder leave very disorganized scenes and don’t transport the victims 100 miles to bury them in shallow graves.

Greed/financial gain is one of the most common motives in murder. Merritt was a compulsive gambler who had run up thousands of dollars in debt and had run out of “poor, pitiful me” excuses to give Joey when he went crawling back to him with his hands out. It is my understanding that Merritt owed Joey close to $100,000. I do think Joey confronted him that day about the forged checks. Merritt, imo, became a runaway train at that point.

I have also heard that LE and the FBI looked behind every bush and under every rock to clear the other possible suspects, including family members. The prosecution will be quite ready when the defense begins to throw witnesses under the bus.

Agreed on the profile. I know that Susan ended up firing Merritt after she and Mike attempted to maintain the business for stealing money. I learned a few years ago in an early case that people kill others for any reason, logical or not. If Chase Merritt acted alone and systematically bludgeoned to death ( 2 babies) 4 people over a gambling debt he is a new breed.
B
GraceintheHills says:

June 18, 2015 at 10:22 am

You are very welcome. You bolded my last paragraph on my last post at 10:54pm yesterday. Blink, I think one of the LE witnesses testified that there were two QB accounts. They also named the bank Joey called around noon on the 4th. Merritt opened a new account for himself at Union Bank a few days after the murders and deposited one of the checks he had written for himself on the second account. In all, the checks totally roughly $20,000.

As you have said before, LE can lie when they are in the middle of the investigation. I am sure they didn’t want Merritt to know they had his DNA in the Trooper and hoped he would continue to make mistakes that could link him to the crime.

I think the motive is more complex than just his gambling problem.
Rose says:

June 18, 2015 at 10:34 pm

GraceintheHills says:
June 17, 2015 at 8:35 pm
@GitH. I’m not following anything but you & Ode & Blink.
you all say it all.
—-
GraceintheHills says:
June 17, 2015 at 10:54 pm
—–
GraceintheHills says:
June 17, 2015 at 10:54 pm
Rose, I have never seen a perp who is high/intoxicated bludgeon four family members to death, and then have the wherewithal to transport them 100 miles, dig two graves, then bury them in the desert…and come back to clean the scene. Never.
—–
Grace, you are right, of course. I was thinking of the act, which I believed to be frenzied. Not the aftermath. The disposition and coverup were organized. The death and bludgronng were disorganized? What does that say? Imo at least 2 perps.