Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

19 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

19 hours ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

19 hours ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

20 hours ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

23 hours ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

24 hours ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

1 day ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

1 day ago
California Man Sentenced to Death for Killing Family of 4
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
January 22, 2020

Share

LOS ANGELES — A Southern California man was sentenced to death Tuesday for the 10-year-old killings of a family of four whose bodies were found buried in shallow graves in the California desert.

“I loved Joseph. He was a big part of my life and my family’s life. I would never have hurt him in any way. I would have never raised my hand for a woman or child. I did not do this thing.” — Charles “Chase” Merritt
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. Prosecutors say he bludgeoned them with a sledgehammer.
The family disappeared without a trace in February 2010. Their bodies were not found until 2013, when an off-road motorcyclist came across them in the Mojave Desert. Merritt was arrested the following year.
San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Michael Smith upheld the jury’s recommendation of death following a two-day sentencing hearing that included a flurry of last-minute motions from Merritt and his lawyer, who accused prosecutors of misconduct, Merritt’s earlier attorneys of incompetence and, on Tuesday, tried to remove the judge himself from the case. All of the motions were denied.
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 continued to maintain his innocence,
“I loved Joseph,” he said, his voice shaking a times. “He was a big part of my life and my family’s life. I would never have hurt him in any way. I would have never raised my hand for a woman or child. I did not do this thing.”
Photo of Tracy Russell, sister of Summer McStay, center
Tracy Russell, sister of Summer McStay, center, gets emotional as she reads her victim-impact statement during the sentencing hearing of Charles “Chase” Merritt, who was convicted of murdering the McStay family of four of Fallbrook, Calif., at San Bernardino Superior Court in San Bernardino, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. A judge sentenced Merritt to death on Tuesday for the 2010 slayings of his former business partner, Joseph McStay, McStay’s wife, Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr. (Watchara Phomicinda/The Orange County Register/SCNG via AP)

Merritt Killed the Family After Learning Mcstay Was Cutting Him out of His Business

Merritt lashed out at prosecutors he said framed him, some witnesses he accused of lying and the judge he said allowed it to happen.

“How could you beat two precious little babies? How scared were they, Chase? Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Chase, you are a low-life baby killer.” — McStay’s mother, Susan Blake
The victims’ family members, meanwhile, dismissed Merritt as, in the words of McStay’s mother, Susan Blake, “a despicable, evil monster.”
“How could you beat two precious little babies? How scared were they, Chase? Crying for Mommy and Daddy? Chase, you are a low-life baby killer,” Blake said as Merritt stared at her impassively.
Prosecutors told jurors Merritt killed the family after learning McStay was cutting him out of his business making and selling custom water fountains.
They said McStay told friends Merritt was doing shoddy work and pilfering money from him. 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.
Investigators said they also traced Merritt’s cellphone to the area where the bodies were buried in the days after the family disappeared and to a call seeking to close McStay’s online bookkeeping account.
Smith ordered Merritt transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled.
California has not executed anyone since 2006. Gov. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions while he’s in office.
Photo of Charles "Chase" Merritt, who was convicted of murdering the McStay family of four of Fallbrook, Calif.
Charles “Chase” Merritt, who was convicted of murdering the McStay family of four of Fallbrook, Calif., reacts during his sentencing hearing at San Bernardino Superior Court in San Bernardino, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. A judge sentenced Merritt to death on Tuesday for the 2010 slayings of his former business partner, Joseph McStay, McStay’s wife, Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr. (Watchara Phomicinda/The Orange County Register/SCNG via AP)

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

DON'T MISS

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

DON'T MISS

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

DON'T MISS

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

DON'T MISS

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

DON'T MISS

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

DON'T MISS

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

DON'T MISS

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

UP NEXT

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

UP NEXT

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 35,000 Acres, More Evacuations Ordered

UP NEXT

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

UP NEXT

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

UP NEXT

CHP Officer Dies in Line of Duty After Medical Emergency While on Patrol

UP NEXT

Downtown Housing Could Rise in Many California Cities, but Barriers Remain

UP NEXT

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

UP NEXT

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

UP NEXT

California Republicans Send Message to Trump: Deport Criminals, Not Our Vital Workers

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

16 hours ago

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

16 hours ago

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

17 hours ago

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

17 hours ago

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

17 hours ago

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

17 hours ago

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

18 hours ago

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

18 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

19 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

19 hours ago

Fresno Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint on Fourth of July, Boost Holiday Patrols

The Fresno Police Department will step up enforcement efforts this Fourth of July, deploying additional patrols and setting up a DUI checkpo...

2 hours ago

2 hours ago

Fresno Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint on Fourth of July, Boost Holiday Patrols

3 hours ago

July 4th Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Founding Fathers

A crash causes a traffic jam in northwest Fresno on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (GV Wire/Paul Marshall)
15 hours ago

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

The Madre Fire near New Cuyama has burned 52,593 acres with 5% containment, prompting evacuation orders in several San Luis Obispo County zones as of Thursday, July 3, 2025, afternoon. (CalFire)
16 hours ago

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

16 hours ago

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

17 hours ago

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

An ICE agent talks with migrants about their scheduled appointments with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Father’s Day, to learn about their immigration status, in Chicago, Illinois., U.S., June 15, 2025. (Reuters File)
17 hours ago

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

Boeing logo and miniature satellite model are seen in this illustration taken, March 10, 2025. (Reuters File)
17 hours ago

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend