CA - Joey, Summer, Gianni, Joseph Jr McStay Murders - Feb 4th 2010 #19

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I'm not sure if this is what Citygirl was referring to, but in Boles testimony below, he stated that Merritt's phone pinged twice - early morning - near the McStays on February 3rd. It's approx at the 52:00 mark.

Wow! Thanks. First pings at 8:31 am, and 8:34 am, very close. Then he starts heading up the 15.

I wonder why there hasn’t been more discussion of that.

I guess the best explanation is that he was down at the Pala casino picking up money to pay the rent, and his phone just pinged as he happened to pass by the McStays.

So you don't think it's possible he met Joey or went over there that morning, for whatever reason, like twice previously that week? This seems like a bit of a leap IMO that a few phone pings mean that he was lurking. Even just that week, we know he was there on the 31st (?), and the 2nd because McG saw him, and I don't think he was there for a long period of time IIRC from his pings. I wish we had the video surveillance for the week to possibly see vehicles coming and going and actually had Joey's cell phone data from those days as well, we only have what has been posted previous to the trial:

From Feb 3rd:

Joey's calls:
7:34am - call to Chase 1 min
7:40am - Summer calls Joey
8:35am - call to CM 3 min

interesting that Summer calls Joey. Now, did she call him while both were inside the house? or was he not home at the time? or was she not home at the time? The previous night, there was a late call @ 10:54pm - incoming call from CM 4 min.

from: https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/mcstay-family-comprehensive-timeline.285143/

If the previous day is any indication, CM/JM called each other before and after he was there that morning as well. 9:22-10:01 his phone pinged near the McStay home. We didn't see CM's pings and where they were for the 31st, so can't tell what time he was there that day.

Joey's calls: (also from the above link)
8:47am - call to CM 1 min
8:51am - incoming call from CM 3 min

8:54am - 10:27am - business calls / VM retrieval
9:48am - incoming call from Jessica to Joey
10:31am - call to CM 4 min

McG didn't get there until 8:30-9am on the 3rd according to his testimony. At about 39:00 of the video.


All JMO :)
 
***OFF TOPIC***

Our own Tricia (WS owner) is on Discovery ID right now on a show called 20/20 on ID: In an Instant. It started at 9:00 pm, west coast time.

Dang, I don't get that channel I don't think, I get a Canadian version lol But will search my guide later to see if the show comes up. It was just called ID: In an Instant? any episode name/number?
 
If this is not that complex of a case to figure out, why are so many saying that they could see it ending in a hung jury?

Morning Missy!

I'm not sure who the 'many' you are referring to so you are going to have to help me out please. Lol!

How many who believe CM is guilty have said they predict it will end in a hung jury? Is that what you are asking? If so, you will have to help me on who those 'many' are who are predicting a hung jury for I'm drawing a blank.TIA

All I know is I have consistently maintained I do believe the verdict will be unanimous. I still have that same opinion.

Of course like it is done in every trial there is always discussions about the possibility of a hung jury even though the vast majority of verdicts are unanimous. It's just what we do in all murder trials.

Imo those who have discussed that possibilty are not stating they believe there will be one or they think the state's case is complex or weak, but are only discussing the three possible options like we always do. IMO

Those disussions are in every trial forum are they not?

Imo it has nothing to do with the case being complex or pretty straight forward like this one, imo

We always discuss all of those options so I'm confused why you say 'many' are predicting it will end in a hung jury?

All I've seen are posts discussing all of the possible options.

I don't think it has anything to do with anyone's own personal opinion here about the weight of the state's case or them predicting it will result in a hung jury. Or saying the case is complex. It's just a discussion about all possible outcomes.

From the posts I have read there have been quite a few who also believe this is not a complex case.

Imo however that really has nothing to do with discussing all possible options on any rendered verdict, which of course a hung jury is one possibilty along with GUILTY BARD or NG.

So would you please clarify what you mean by 'many', and how that relates to the case being complex, instead of rather simple, and straightforward? TIA

JMHOO
 
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The majority of what the DT is throwing at the wall and hoping it sticks is preposterous and I'm confident the jury will see right through it. I would've liked to have been a fly on the wall in Merritt's apartment that weekend and the days after. How much did Merritt actually worry? Was he worried for his friend's well-being or was he worried about how he was going to pay rent at the end of the month?

I think the DT should have addressed the very harmful evidence against him instead of ignoring, and sidestepping them totally.

Why havent they tried to shore up his alibi? Imo, even DT knows just because his family members says so is not sufficient. They are very aware the jury wants to see verifiable proof of one. The 'just believe it because his family members said so' isn't going to cut it. Imo

And they still have not shown any proof he wasn't inside the home on the 4th helping himself to Joey's money after CM murdered him.

Joey, and Summer's phone activity stopped, and they were never seen or heard from ever again. It obvious their lives ended on the 4th.

Imo, at the end of the DT case they still have a lot of explaining to do


Jmoo
 
Please tell me this trial is not STILL going on? When did it start?!

In January, and shockingly it's still going on. Its unbelievable to me too that is the case.

We've been in the defense case since the end of February iirc. Very little court days since then nor very many witnesses since then either.

Imo
 
I would’ve liked to have been a fly on the wall on the day the bodies were discovered. Unlucky Chase almost got away with it, had it not been for that pesky dirt bike rider.

I would have liked to know his reaction, but more than that is what he was thinking.

It had to be a defining moment for him. One of those oh **** moments knowing his darkly held secrets had finally been exposed. CM had to know the discovery meant everything was going to drastically change. He knew then the investigators would then do a deep dive investigation. No more were they going to believe the family traipsed of to Mexico never meaning to return.

For years he had to have been so smug, arrogant so sure he put their bodies where they would never be found. It's a prime example of 'never say never.'

I felt all along if there was any chance of their bodies being discovered it would happen the way it did.

So many murdered victims who remained missing, even those where there were massive search efforts, wound up being found by happenstance by an outsider totally unconnected to the case or the victims.

There are so many cases like this one where either a hiker, camper, hunter, fisherman or biker who have stumbled upon the remains of those long missing.

I believe in devine intervention, and I believe it's happened many times in missing/murder cases.

I continue to pray that Sierra Lamar's remains will be found one day so she can be brought home to be given a proper funeral, and resting place.

JMOO
 
Dang, I don't get that channel I don't think, I get a Canadian version lol But will search my guide later to see if the show comes up. It was just called ID: In an Instant? any episode name/number?
The episode was called Terror in the Library. It was about the Utah city library hostage situation. Apparently last night's episode was a rerun and I haven't been able to find a way to watch it again. I'll keep looking and let you know if/when I find something.

EDITED TO ADD: I found it on Youtube
 
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The episode was called Terror in the Library. It was about the Utah city library hostage situation. Apparently last night's episode was a rerun and I haven't been able to find a way to watch it again. I'll keep looking and let you know if/when I find something.

EDITED TO ADD: I found it on Youtube

Thank you for providing the link for us.

I'm an ID junkie, lol, but somehow I missed this one. I will make sure I watch it.

Jmo
 
Tick Tock... This will be over soon after almost 10 years. Remember those first days of CNN coverage? So mysterious. The blogs that sprung up then still influence us today.

Our current opinions here come from standing on the shoulders of giants, thousands of posts year after year. Innocent or guilty Merritts fate soon to be determined. This case is nothing like I've seen before and hopefully will never see again. Too many people on the wrong side this time.
 
The episode was called Terror in the Library. It was about the Utah city library hostage situation. Apparently last night's episode was a rerun and I haven't been able to find a way to watch it again. I'll keep looking and let you know if/when I find something.

EDITED TO ADD: I found it on Youtube

Thanks! I searched my guide and didn't get anything close to this show LOL Will watch it later!
 
For me, Agent Boles testimony was the most crucial testimony of all in this trial. He was so professional & well-spoken. And I love that he & the Prosecution mapped out Merritt's calls and notated with VR for victim residence, DR for defendant residence, MS for Metro Sheet Metal, etc. It paints a very clear picture for the jury of Merritt's calls and where he was when, and which direction he was traveling, and of course all the hours when his phone was unavailable/off/going to voicemail, etc. And the nail in the coffin were the phone pings near the gravesite. Can't beat that testimony with a stick.
Thanks for this PC. Not sure I paid as close attention to this on Day 22? Taking a second look it is really powerful. I like the way they toggled pings with phone calls. Imes did a good job, IMO.
 
...But I think that you should go back and look
at where — you know, the possibility of me if I was
in in the High Desert, it was definitely not in that
area. It’s not even possible.
The first time I had ever been there was the
first time I went there with — to see the cross. And
I don’t even remember being in the High Desert. But
that’s neither here nor there. I mean, if I was, I
was.
But I wasn’t anywhere near that grave site.
It’s impossible. I’ve — I’ve never been there before
the time that I went to see the cross.
As far as my truck, I can’t explain it. I
have no clue. I don’t recall being there. I don’t
recall any reason for me to drive there...


Merritt said he was at his sisters house. His sister also perjured herself and said her brother visited her. So which is it?
Before she said she hadn't seen him in years.
 
Gosh listening to McGee say Sgt.Smith would be testifying in place of Dr. Rudin. PT called him out and McGee denied he said it! He did say it. MOO.
 
CM has no solid alibi for the dates in question, only contradictory statements by himself and others, through LE interviews and testimony heard in court.

The DT gave "alternative facts" with paid witnesses, they claim"believe us when we say the phone records are correct for DK, but don't believe the phone records are correct for CM."
You can't have it both ways.
CM was tired, he was in the clubhouse, "I don't know where he was". Which is it?
"The last time I was out to the high desert or my sister's was a year ago", "I was with my brother and sister on the 6th of Feb 2010."
Again, you can't have it both ways.
Etc., etc., ad nauseum.

Yes, they want to have it both ways. It only means something when they think it favors them. When the same type of evidence is presented by the state then the DT wants the jury to disbelieve it.

I believe during deliberations the jury will ask for the transcripts showing all of the numerous inconsistent statements this defendant has made throughout.

I see this happen in many trials or they will ask for read backs concerning all statements the defendant has made.

If they do the same in this case then CM is in a world of trouble.

So imo, all inconsistent statements made by any defendant seems to be a very big deal for juries, which is totally reasonable, and deserves looking at all of them very closely. They may list all of them on a big board in the deliberation room.

And the case hasn't even ended yet so there certainly could more to come.

JMOO
 
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It's amazing that CM committed these crimes and got such light sentences, I've NEVER seen anything like it. From the article Chase Merritt Trial In Horrific McStay Family Murder Case Begins | SBCSentinel

No record of Merritt’s juvenile convictions, if any, was available to the Sentinel.
All of the crimes contained in Merritt’s available criminal jacket pertain to ones committed by him after he had reached the age of majority.
On February 4, 1977, he was convicted of burglary, for which he served a 66 day jail sentence.
On July 28, 1977, he was convicted of petty theft, for which he was given a 60 day sentence.
On October 24, 1978, he was convicted of criminal trespass, and given a 30 day sentence.
On November 18, 1978, he was convicted of burglary and sentenced to two years in state prison.
On April 16, 1985, he was convicted of receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to 365 days in county jail as a consequence.
On February 4, 1987, he was convicted of receiving stolen property, which netted him 16 months in state prison.
On May 21, 1988, he was convicted of receiving stolen property. He spent 14 days in prison as a result.
On June 17, 1988, he was convicted of a parole violation but was not incarcerated.
On April 2, 2001, he was convicted of burglary and grand theft. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail.
On at least 11 occasions, he failed to appear in court as scheduled. In seven of those cases, warrants were issued for his arrest. At the time of the McStay family murders, he was wanted on a probation violation warrant.
 
Where do you find the weekly update? I'd like to read as well. Thanks.
I don't think there is an easy way to find them... I just tried the search function on the site and it came up with nothing lol

this is the first article, I will see if I can find them all and link them in one post :)

Chase Merritt Trial In Horrific McStay Family Murder Case Begins | SBCSentinel

I posted a list of links in the McStay forum because it was pretty long, I think I found them all :)

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ks-no-discussion.125627/page-12#post-15078686
 
<modsnip: quoted post was removed> ... as evidenced by Joey's very friendly and excited New Year greeting to Chase, they were happily starting a luscious Saudi business deal that would likely make them millions. It defies logic that Chase would murder Joey and his entire family at such a time, not to mention he has zero violent crime history.
 
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