CA - Joey, Summer, Gianni, Joseph Jr McStay Murders - Feb 4th 2010 #14

[Karinna]

I may be a little off topic from what's being discussed...but this case really reminds me of the Scott Peterson/Laci Peterson case. Laci & Conner's bodies washed up right where Scott went "fishing." The McStay bodies were found buried right where Chase Merritt's phone pinged. You can't have a better "smoking gun" than that. That's the main reason I'm convinced of his guilt. 100%

BBM, And wasn't the gravesites right near where CM's sister lived in VV?

 

[MrsPC]

BBM, And wasn't the gravesites right near where CM's sister lived in VV?

yep, an area Merritt was familiar with

 

[Frankie Hellis]

I think so too. Especially considering it was the beginning of the month and his rent was due. Was it $2,500.? $3,000?

Remember, according to McGyver, Chase was at JM's on 1/31 and 2/2. My guess is....Chase was desperate and trying to get rent/food money from Joey. So CM goes to Joey's on 1/31 to ask for money. But, instead of handing over a couple of thousand like he's probably done many times in the past, JM might have said something like "let me go over the books tonight and see where we're at".

The next day, on 2/1 JM sends CM the email showing that Chase owed $42,845.00.

Still desperate and needing money, Chase decides to try again and goes back to Joey's on 2/2. This is when, IMO, Joey gives Chase the check for $200. Not $2,000..only $200.

This is the turning point IMO, I think Chase might have realized he wasn't going to be able to manipulate Joey anymore and their collaboration was coming to an end.

Chase goes home, prints the check for $2,495. Goes to Union Bank and cashes it.

There is no going back now. All MOO!

I know some of Merritt’s withdrawals were an exhibit, but were we able to see what his bank balance might have been during that first week of February? Since the DA is intimating the motive was money, if CM had substantial money in the bank, you would think his defense would point that out over and over again. It would be an interesting piece of the puzzle to get a glimpse of what his balance actually was around then.

The other thing I wanted to say is that I watched the prosecution opening in the Bo Dukes trial and I wish the prosecution in the McStay case would have started with something similar about circumstantial evidence. That Dukes prosecutor guy did a fabulous job of ELI5 for a circumstantial case. I feel the prosecution in McStay has missed the boat with connecting the dots with their evidence. I know they will probably do it in closing, but IMO they should have been driving these points home every single chance they possibly could starting with the points involved in CE cases and how to fit them together.

 

[Bernina]

I don't disagree that Joey possibly paid for the supplies, although, I have not heard any evidence about that from this time frame, which was 2008. So you actually think that Joey paid for supplies, PLUS gave Chase 19K? And then never mentioned that he was ALSO out the money he put out for supplies? I would disagree with that Joey would forget to mention this and account for being out that money as well. JMO

Well, probably because $19,000 isn't 65% of $32,620 if you go by Chase's formula. It would have been $21,203, a difference of $2,203.
The "Professional Install" was $2,900 so that was included in Chase's $19,000.

I doubt Chase paid for the material used in the 20' "trough" and the "upper hood".

 

[Karinna]

yep, an area Merritt was familiar with

Yes, he apparently knew the desert there very well.

 

[Karinna]

I know some of Merritt’s withdrawals were an exhibit, but were we able to see what his bank balance might have been during that first week of February? Since the DA is intimating the motive was money, if CM had substantial money in the bank, you would think his defense would point that out over and over again. It would be an interesting piece of the puzzle to get a glimpse of what his balance actually was around then.

The other thing I wanted to say is that I watched the prosecution opening in the Bo Dukes trial and I wish the prosecution in the McStay case would have started with something similar about circumstantial evidence. That Dukes prosecutor guy did a fabulous job of ELI5 for a circumstantial case. I feel the prosecution in McStay has missed the boat with connecting the dots with their evidence. I know they will probably do it in closing, but IMO they should have been driving these points home every single chance they possibly could starting with the points involved in CE cases and how to fit them together.

BBM, I think he used CJ's account for some time, and he did open an account himself at some stage, but not sure when? I wonder if they got CJ's account details at all?

 

[missy1974]

I know some of Merritt’s withdrawals were an exhibit, but were we able to see what his bank balance might have been during that first week of February? Since the DA is intimating the motive was money, if CM had substantial money in the bank, you would think his defense would point that out over and over again. It would be an interesting piece of the puzzle to get a glimpse of what his balance actually was around then.

The other thing I wanted to say is that I watched the prosecution opening in the Bo Dukes trial and I wish the prosecution in the McStay case would have started with something similar about circumstantial evidence. That Dukes prosecutor guy did a fabulous job of ELI5 for a circumstantial case. I feel the prosecution in McStay has missed the boat with connecting the dots with their evidence. I know they will probably do it in closing, but IMO they should have been driving these points home every single chance they possibly could starting with the points involved in CE cases and how to fit them together.

Here is a snip of the cached version of a QB's cheque, it shows a balance in the upper right corner... HOWEVER... QB's was not linked to a bank account, which means it was never reconciled with the bank account, so there is no way to know if this was a 'true' balance or not. And I do not recall that Joey's bank balance has been mentioned in the trial, although it's been mentioned since they went missing that there was a substantial amount in the bank IIRC

ETA: I totally read that as JM not CM LOL sorry!

 

[missy1974]

Well, probably because $19,000 isn't 65% of $32,620 if you go by Chase's formula. It would have been $21,203, a difference of $2,203.
The "Professional Install" was $2,900 so that was included in Chase's $19,000.

I doubt Chase paid for the material used in the 20' "trough" and the "upper hood".

Like I said... then that means that Joey must have forgot that he was also out that money if it was not included in the 19K. I disagree that he would forget about that and not mention he was also out that money. JMO

 

[QueenBofOB]

I know some of Merritt’s withdrawals were an exhibit, but were we able to see what his bank balance might have been during that first week of February? Since the DA is intimating the motive was money, if CM had substantial money in the bank, you would think his defense would point that out over and over again. It would be an interesting piece of the puzzle to get a glimpse of what his balance actually was around then.

The other thing I wanted to say is that I watched the prosecution opening in the Bo Dukes trial and I wish the prosecution in the McStay case would have started with something similar about circumstantial evidence. That Dukes prosecutor guy did a fabulous job of ELI5 for a circumstantial case. I feel the prosecution in McStay has missed the boat with connecting the dots with their evidence. I know they will probably do it in closing, but IMO they should have been driving these points home every single chance they possibly could starting with the points involved in CE cases and how to fit them together.

Did CM even have a bank acct. at that point or had it been closed for too many NSF's? I thought JM gave him a check for a small amt., like $100-200, around that time, so the loser could open up another acct. somewhere else.

 

[Frankie Hellis]

Here is a snip of the cached version of a QB's cheque, it shows a balance in the upper right corner... HOWEVER... QB's was not linked to a bank account, which means it was never reconciled with the bank account, so there is no way to know if this was a 'true' balance or not. And I do not recall that Joey's bank balance has been mentioned in the trial, although it's been mentioned since they went missing that there was a substantial amount in the bank IIRC

ETA: I totally read that as JM not CM LOL sorry!

I was going to say... wait a sec, that would be Joseph’s balance!

 

[QueenBofOB]

BBM, I think he used CJ's account for some time, and he did open an account himself at some stage, but not sure when? I wonder if they got CJ's account details at all?

I thought that she testified, something to the effect that, "she no longer wanted to share an acct. with him?"

 

[Frankie Hellis]

Well, probably because $19,000 isn't 65% of $32,620 if you go by Chase's formula. It would have been $21,203, a difference of $2,203.
The "Professional Install" was $2,900 so that was included in Chase's $19,000.

I doubt Chase paid for the material used in the 20' "trough" and the "upper hood".

I am almost positive Joseph told Laurel to pay the install fee directly to Chase. It must have been in the email chain because I don’t know where else I would have seen it.

 

[missy1974]

I was going to say... wait a sec, that would be Joseph’s balance!

I was having a "moment" LOL totally read that as JM because CM never had money in his account hahaha

 

[Frankie Hellis]

Did CM even have a bank acct. at that point or had it been closed for too many NSF's? I thought JM gave him a check for a small amt., like $100-200, around that time, so the loser could open up another acct. somewhere else.

Merritt did open a new account with $100 that first week of February, but do we know it was because his other one was closed or overdrawn? I don’t think that was part of any testimony. I may be wrong, but I sure don’t remember it.

What were they using to show all the casino withdrawals? That had to be a bank statement of some sort, no?

 

[Karinna]

Merritt did open a new account with $100 that first week of February, but do we know it was because his other one was closed or overdrawn? I don’t think that was part of any testimony. I may be wrong, but I sure don’t remember it.

What were they using to show all the casino withdrawals? That had to be a bank statement of some sort, no?

BBM, I have seen some of his casino wdl's somewhere, but not sure where?

 

[Bernina]

Like I said... then that means that Joey must have forgot that he was also out that money if it was not included in the 19K. I disagree that he would forget about that and not mention he was also out that money. JMO

If he was out $14,480 (Paypal charge back) + the $19,000 (Chase) for a total of $33,800, one would assume that included materials, wouldn't you think?

 

[Bernina]

Merritt did open a new account with $100 that first week of February, but do we know it was because his other one was closed or overdrawn? I don’t think that was part of any testimony. I may be wrong, but I sure don’t remember it.

What were they using to show all the casino withdrawals? That had to be a bank statement of some sort, no?

Chase's previous account was closed because of NSF's, overdraws, etc., in Oct or Nov 2009 I believe. I didn't take screen shots.

 

[Karinna]

RSBM
Charles Ray Merritt: Timeline of Evidence in the McStay Family Murders

This is compiled from the preliminary hearing, warrants, phone records and various witness accounts.

February 22, 2010

Withdrawal for $1500 at San Manuel Casino in Highland, Ca by Chase Merritt.
March 8, 2010

2 withdrawals for $503 at Commerce Casino in Commerce, Ca by Chase Merritt.


March 22, 2010

2 withdrawals for $504 at San Manuel Casino in Highland, Ca by Chase Merritt.
CA - Joey, Summer, Gianni, Joseph Jr McStay Murders - Feb 4th 2010 #6

 

[missy1974]

If he was out $14,480 (Paypal charge back) + the $19,000 (Chase) for a total of $33,800, one would assume that included materials, wouldn't you think?

That is my point LOL
It wasn't 19,000 + 14,480 + SUPPLIES.

 

[Bernina]

I am almost positive Joseph told Laurel to pay the install fee directly to Chase. It must have been in the email chain because I don’t know where else I would have seen it.

So.......let's add the $2,900 to the $19,000 because, hey, we're talking Chase Merritt and honesty is NOT his forte. I don't believe for one second that THAT zebra changed his stripes.
I can't believe ANYONE would think he is nothing more than a liar and a cheat. Seriously, look at his track record before and after his association with Joey.
Does that automatically make him a murderer? No.
But, does his lies make him pre-disposed to murder if the possibility of jail or prison threatens his freedom? I certainly believe so.