Found Deceased CA - Stephanie Menard, 73, Daniel Menard, 79, & Cuddles, white Shih Tzu, unlocked car found, Redlands, 24 Aug 2024 *arrest*

[truthfinder2019]

I don’ t think he is speaking to LE , at all…

 

[Boots38]

I don’t like to speculate but I still wonder how he lured them in his house. Not easy to move heavy bodies in a basement. Or he invited them over with an excuse (premeditation), or maybe Dan wandered there due to his condition and Stephanie followed, or they were looking for the dog (Opportunity).
I agree that blunt force trauma entails usually hatred and loss of control, but it is horrific also because in terms of timing, it takes more and one of the two had more time to realize the killing of the spouse.
I suppose that since he pleads not guilty, we will only be hearing LE theory but not whatntruly happened ?

Why would we only be hearing LE theory? I don't believe convicts come from theories and not the truth.

 

[Cedars]

Why would we only be hearing LE theory? I don't believe convicts come from theories and not the truth.

I think the OP meant how exactly it played out, step by step. Many times police cannot pin-point exactly how a crime occurred...was there an altercation? or did the accused confront them in their home with the gun and force them out? etc.

I think it will depend on any evidence they can find (including witnesses who didn't understand what they were seeing). I think also plays into whether prosecutors make it a death penalty case.

JMO

 

[truthfinder2019]

This is exactly what I meant. usually when suspects refuse to speak as in this case, and explain how and why, and there are no witnesses to the crime, prosecution need to derive a theory of how they believe the facts occurred, from the evidence the can gather, and prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
If MRS had not called his sister to tell her he committed murder on his neighbours, I am not sure LE would have found the Menard’s remains as noone in the neighbourhood had seen anything. And it was just next door to them.

 

[Cedars]

This is exactly what I meant. usually when suspects refuse to speak as in this case, and explain how and why, and there are no witnesses to the crime, prosecution need to derive a theory of how they believe the facts occurred, from the evidence the can gather, and prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
If MRS had not called his sister to tell her he committed murder on his neighbours, I am not sure LE would have found the Menard’s remains as noone in the neighbourhood had seen anything. And it was just next door to them.

Perhaps, though sometimes it comes out at trial that police had initial information and strong suspicions but there wasn't yet sufficient evidence of foul play to issue any search warrants.

IMO, competent police forces don't reveal anything to the media that might tell a perp what they know or suspect. Keeping any perps in confusion and uncertainty is part of their psychological strategy.

JMO

 

[PommyMommy]

Today's hearing was moved to 10/22.

The People of the State of California vs. Michael Royce Sparks
Case Number: FSB24003205

Reset set for 10/22/2024 at 8:30 AM in Department S2 - SBJC
Defendant ordered to appear.

Public Portal - Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino

Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino Case Portal

cap.sb-court.org

 

[truthfinder2019]

The link above does not work for me, any news on this ?

 

[PommyMommy]

The People of the State of California vs. Michael Royce Sparks
Case Number: FSB24003205

Defendant waives time for Preliminary Hearing to: 1/24/2025 8:30AM, Department S2 - SBJC, Judge Bilash

Public Portal - Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino

Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino Case Portal

cap.sb-court.org

 

[truthfinder2019]

Thank you @PommyMommy !!

 

[Jo in Calif]

Referencing the murders, Baker says authorities “believe it happened there on the property. His property or their property. It wasn't like he did it a mile away and then brought them back to his house. It happened right there. Part of that general area.”


“We don't think that they were being held captive or anything like that,” he says.


Baker says authorities searched the Menards' home an learned "that they had clearly left or not intended to leave the house because the computer was on, the air conditioning was on, and the purse was there, the cell phones were there. All of that indicated that they were not intending to leave."


Baker adds, "But other than that, there was nothing suspicious in their house. There was no indication of any kind of a struggle or anything like that.”

2 Members of California Nudist Colony Found Dead, Next-Door Neighbor Arrested: 'It’s a Nightmare' (Exclusive)

Members of a clothing-optional community in California say tensions among residents boiled over, leading to the deaths of Dan and Stephanie Menard.

people.com

 

[PommyMommy]

The People of the State of California vs. Michael Royce Sparks
Case Number: FSB24003205

Department S2 - SBJC Preliminary Hearing 4/21/2025 8:30AM

Department S2 - SBJC Pre-Preliminary Hearing 4/11/2025 8:30AM

Department S2 - SBJC Dispo / Reset 1/24/2025 8:30AM Held

Public Portal - Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino

Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino Case Portal

cap.sb-court.org

 

[truthfinder2019]

Any news ?

 

[PommyMommy]

Any news ?

I haven't been able to find anything but per the court site, the 4/21 preliminary hearing was moved to 5/5 and is estimated to last two hours.

https://cap.sb-court.org/case/ODg0OTM5OQ==

 

[truthfinder2019]

Thank you @PommyMommy , Icouldn t manage to access the site you had posted

 

[PommyMommy]

The People of the State of California vs. Michael Royce Sparks
Case Number: FSB24003205

Department S2 - SBJC
Preliminary Hearing TE: 3 hours
5/14/2025
8:30AM

Public Portal - Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino

Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino Case Portal

cap.sb-court.org

 

[charminglane]

Missing elderly couple and their pet at California nudist resort were killed over a hot dog, detective testifies

Michael Sparks is ordered held for trial in the deaths of Daniel and Stephanie Menard, who were bludgeoned and dismembered, prosecutors say.

www.mercurynews.com

 

[Oiseaux]

Missing elderly couple and their pet at California nudist resort were killed over a hot dog, detective testifies

Michael Sparks is ordered held for trial in the deaths of Daniel and Stephanie Menard, who were bludgeoned and dismembered, prosecutors say.

www.mercurynews.com

What an absolutely horrible story, and an appalling reason to take three lives. Their poor loved ones.

 

[truthfinder2019]

And poor little Cuddles, on top of all the rest for which I am speechless, cruelty towards animals is also unforgivable.

 

[dulcinea]

Feeble-looking Santa Claus gets no sympathy from me.
I feel awful for all of the people who have to testify at this trial. How upsetting this must be for them. They're supposed to be peacefully enjoying their hard earned retirement.