State of California VS Charles Ray Merritt

Monday, June 15, 2015

Tweets for Preliminary Hearing - June 15 - Charles Merritt

‏@GigiGraciette

Joseph McStay's brother + family arrive for prelim hearing of Chase Merritt, accused of killing McStay, wife + sons.

‏@DP_Shea

Merritt has walked into room, dressed in grayish shirt and tie. Conferring with his attorneys. Prelim to start any minute now. #mcstay

Fox 5 Sharon Chen ‏@sharonchenfox5 4m4 minutes ago

#McStay court just began, both sides agree they are ready to proceed. 1st witness investigating officer taking stand.

‏@pkruegernbcsd

Detective says 45 bones, at least 2 from children, were found in desert grave were McStay family bodies found. #NBC7

‏@DavidCBS8

Second witness on stand in #Mcstay prelim is Sgt. Jose Armando Avila. He responded to Mcstay grave sites.

‏@sharonchenfox5

#McStay Investigator called to scene says they found bones in gravesite, ribs, parts of legs and several pieces... http://fb.me/1OgVCTAzy

2 retweets 1 favorite

‏@DP_Shea

3-pound sledgehammer found in Grave B. Oddly, Avila is testifying about rust on tool, but said no word about paint. #mcstay

Teri Figueroa ‏@TeriFigueroaUT 1h1 hour ago

Detective: Adult bones and female clothes in one grave with childs bones, clothes and diaper. #McStay

Teri Figueroa ‏@TeriFigueroaUT 1h1 hour ago

Detective: tire tracks leading to #mcstay graves. But tire tracks to two graves differ in width. One 73 inches other 76

‏@SBcountyNow

Vehicles appeared to have been backed up to graves, Avila said. #McStay #ChaseMerritt

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 1h1 hour ago

Two graves were ID'd by authorities as Grave A and Grave B. A child and adult skull were found in Grave B, southeast of 'A'. #mcstay

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 1h1 hour ago

Also found in one grave was 3-lb Stanley brand sledgehammer, adult & child clothing, and a Body Glove cell phone case, Avila said. #McStay

Teri Figueroa ‏@TeriFigueroaUT 1h1 hour ago

Detective: childs backpack also found. #McStay

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 1h1 hour ago

Both skulls found in Grave B were fractured, Avila said. Distance between two graves approx. 20-25 feet apart. #mcstay

Beatriz Valenzuela @BeatrizVNews

Among items, including a child's blue pants with diapers in them, was a 3-pound sledgehammer, Avila said.

‏@SBcountyNow

Bachman said skeletal remains of adult male pulled from other grave, wrapped in woven blanket & secured by red tie-down. #McStay

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‏@sharonchenfox5

#McStay 3rd Investigator found remains of male victim with extension cord wrapped around neck, skull had hole in back of skull

‏@angiecbs8

Detective: white electrical cord wrapped around neck of male found in gravesite #A @CBS8 #McStay

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‏@pkruegernbcsd

Detective says one #McStay family body had extension cord wrapped around neck, also wrapped in blanket. Apparent body of Josp McStay.#NBC7

‏@PE_GailWesson

#McStay 2sets of tire tracks led to the two grave sites, about 20-25 feet apart closer to a gas line access road, nearby Quarry Rd, I15

‏@SBcountyNow

Bachman said male adult remains had white extension cord wrapped around neck & tied in knot. #McStay

Teri Figueroa ‏@TeriFigueroaUT 1h1 hour ago

Joseph #Mcstay remains had extension cord tied around neck. Body wrapped in white woven blanket, with red strap around blanket.

‏@SBcountyNow

Adult male remains were identified as those of Joseph #McStY, Bachman said. #McStay

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 1h1 hour ago

Remains of Summer #McStay had multiple fractures, including multiple fractures to jaw, head & other areas of body, Bachman said. #McStay

‏@sharonchenfox5

#McStay 3rd Investigator says Forensics id'd Summer McStay thru DNA, she had multiple fractures to jaw, injuries... http://fb.me/7haNHa9To

0 retweets 1 favorite

‏@TeriFigueroaUT

Joseph #Mcstay suffered broken leg, rib and four blows to his head before he died, homicide detective says.

‏@SBcountyNow

Skeletal remains of Joseph McStay Jr. were so minimal a cause of death was not determined, Bachman said. #McStay

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‏@angiecbs8

Detective: 4 yr old Gianni suffered at least 7 blows to the head before he died :( @CBS8 #McStay

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 1h1 hour ago

Joseph McStay: Fractures incl. base of skull, right tibia, rib. At least 4 impacts to skull. Gianni: At least 7 blows to head. #mcstay

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‏@SBcountyNow

Sledgehammer was consistent with injuries suffered by victims, Bachman said. #McStay

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‏@KFIAM640

Charles Merritt's face turns red, puts head in hands as detective describes beating death of young Joe McStay, Jr. Merritt's prelim underway

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David Gotfredson @DavidCBS8

Det. Bachman says Joey, Jr. body found outside grave. Cause of death undetermined because bones were scattered by animal activity.

Sharon Chen Fox 5 San Diego

15 mins · Facebook Mentions ·

‪#‎McStay‬ Brother of Joseph McStay met with accused killer Merritt at McStay home to check on family. Merritt didn't want to walk around home.

‏@SBcountyNow

Joseph McStay's brother, Mike #McStay, told detectives he was contacted by his father, Patrick McStay, on Feb. 8, 2010, Bachman said

‏@SBcountyNow

Patrick McStay told son Mike he couldn't reach Joseph McStay, so Mike tried calling his brother following day, Bachman said. #ChaseMerritt

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 1h1 hour ago

Mike #McStay also went to brother Joseph McStay's Fallbrook home on Feb. 9, 2010, but no one was there, Bachman said. #ChaseMerritt

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 1h1 hour ago

Mike #McStay & #ChaseMerritt went to Joseph McStay's home on Feb. 13, 2010. Mike went through open window and let Merritt in, Bachman said.

‏@SBcountyNow

Mike #McStay thought his brother and his family were on vacation, Bachman said. #ChaseMerritt

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‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay prelim: MIchael Mcstay climbed in unlocked back window of Fallbrook home on Feb. 15, and then let Merritt in front door.

‏@SBcountyNow

Mike #McStay and #ChaseMerritt agreed that if they didn't hear from Joseph McStay and his family by Feb. 15, 2010, Mike would file . .

‏@SBcountyNow

When San Diego County sheriff's detectives were searching house, Mike #McStay noted a missing cover from a Futon couch, Bachman said.

‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay prelim: Mike told cops he though Merritt acted suspicious when they checked out the home Feb 15, Merritt did not touch anything.

‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay prelim: 4th witness sworn is homicide Det. Joseph Steers. No cross examination of first three witnesses.

‏@SBcountyNow

Steers said #McStay family were repainting their home a tan color and off white for kitchen. Blue pInter's tape.

‏@DP_Shea

Here we go: Steers says there was "small paint transfer" near sledgehammer handle. Off-white in color. #mcstay

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 1h1 hour ago

Steers said there was blue painter's tape wrapped in towel in one of graves and paint on Summer McStay's brassiere. #McStay

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‏@DP_Shea

Paint also found on bra belonging to Summer McStay located at graves, and Joseph McStay's pants. #mcstay

Joe Nelson @SBcountyNow 29s30 seconds ago
Joseph #McStay was wrapped in a tan, heavy woven material matching that of the missing Futon cover from #McStay home, Steers said.

‏@SBcountyNow

White shop towel & bath towel w/ imprinted black nose & whiskers, found in graves. Consistent with those from #McStay home, Steers said.

‏@TeriFigueroaUT

Troy DuGal, the San Diego sheriff's homicide detective who first investigated #McStay disappearance now testifying.

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‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay prelim: no footwear belonging to victims found in graves. Paint on sledgehammer matched paint spot found on Summer's bra.

‏@DP_Shea

Evident the home Feb. 15, 2010 was undergoing renovations, or restoration, DuGal said. Furniture lacking, fresh paint on walls. #mcstay

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‏@pkruegernbcsd

Detective: murder suspect Chas Merritt talked about #McStay family in "past tense" when questioned, which made detectives suspicious. #NBC7

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 1h1 hour ago

#ChaseMerritt said he last saw Joseph #McStay on Feb. 4, 2010, when they met at a Chik-fil-A restaurant to discuss business, Dugal said.

‏@SBcountyNow

Merritt consented to a DNA swab when asked, Dugal said.#McStay

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 1h1 hour ago

Dugal said #ChaseMerritt told him he also met with Joseph #McStay at Chik-fil-A to pick up some checks.

‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay prelim: In Feb 2010 Merritt drove a 1999 Chevy 3500 pickup truck. Duval took DNA from Merritt on Feb 17, 2010 to compare to Isuzu.

‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay prelim: no cross examination of Duval. Prosecution recalls Det. Bachman.

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‏@DP_Shea

Prosecutors focus now on Isuzu Trooper found in San Ysidro lot. Merritt reportedly said he never drove it, but had rode in it b4. #mcstay

‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay prelim: SD sheriff took DNA swabs from Trooper, from steering wheel, radio controls, gear shifter and heater controls in vehicle

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‏@TeriFigueroaUT

SB Detective says Chase Merritt's DNA found on steering wheel of #McStay trooper

‏@SBcountyNow

Trace DNA from gearshift handle of #McStay Isuzu Trooper also matched that of #ChaseMerritt, Bachman said.

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‏@DP_Shea

Bachman says DNA found on Trooper's steering wheel, gear shift, radio control match w/ Merritts. #mcstay

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‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay prelim: Merritt told cops he had never driven the Mcstay trooper, but he had ridden in the vehicle many times.

‏@DP_Shea

Now we're on to phone records. #mcstay

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‏@SBcountyNow

#FBI Special Agent Kevin Boles now testifying. #McStay #ChaseMerritt

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 1h1 hour ago

Merritt and Joseph McStay spoke on the phone 27 times Feb. 4, 2010, last time family was heard from, Boles said. #mcstay

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‏@TeriFigueroaUT

FBI agent says Chase Merritts cell phone pinged off nearest towers to #McStay grave sites two days after family disappeared.

‏@angiecbs8

#McStay: FBI agent says Merritt's cell phone pinged near where the McStay's remains were found in the Mojave Desert @CBS8

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 2h2 hours ago

Reviewing records since 2009, Boles said Merritt only one time before Feb. 6, 2010 had made call from Victorville/Oro Grande area. #mcstay

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 1h1 hour ago

Michael #McStay walks by me in courthouse, says under breath: "That's about as open and shut as you're going to get."

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Fox 5 Sharon Chen ‏@sharonchenfox5 1h1 hour ago

#McStay Court in recess, time to grab lunch! I'll be back on at 1:30!

‏@SBcountyNow

Boles just excused. San Bernardino County sheriff's Detective Daniel Hanke now testifying. #McStay #ChaseMerritt

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 1h1 hour ago

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Det. Daniel Hanke on the stand now, talking Quickbooks. #mcstay

‏@SBcountyNow

Hanke testifying about Joseph McStay's QuickBooks online computer software account, and checks written on the account. #McStay

‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay preliim: Det. Daniel Hanke of SB homicide testifies about Joseph Mcstay's use of Quickbooks to manage his business financials

‏@DP_Shea

Charles Merritt was added as a vendor to Joseph McStay's Quickbooks account three days before family last heard from. #McStay

‏@TeriFigueroaUT

Three days before #McStay family vanished, Chase Merritt's name added to JM's quickbooks account -- but not from JM's computer.

‏@sharonchenfox5

#McStay detective now testifying someone wrote checks from Joseph McStay's QuickBook account to Charles Merritt then deleted it.

‏@TeriFigueroaUT

Chase Merritt cashed $2,495 from #Mcstay's quickbooks account -- but that check NOT written off of Mcstay computers, detective says

‏@DP_Shea

Between Feb. 1-4, more than $11K in checks were written to Merritt from Joseph McStay's Quickbook account, Hanke says. #mcstay

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 1h1 hour ago

Checks later written from Joseph's account to Merritt on Feb. 5 were edited to be backdated Feb. 4. # mcstay

‏@pkruegernbcsd

Detectives found suspicious activity on #McStay bank account, including back-dated checks written to suspect Charles Merritt. #NBC7

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 1h1 hour ago

Hanke: Merritt tied directly to phone call Feb. 8 canceling Joseph McStay's online Quickbooks account. #mcstay

‏@pkruegernbcsd

Detective: Suspicious checks for large amounts were deposited to accused killer's bank account after #McStay victims disappeared #NBC7

Teri Figueroa ‏@TeriFigueroaUT 1h1 hour ago

On Feb. 9, someone called quickbooks from Merritts cell phone, id'ed self as Joey #McStay and tried to delete the account, cop says

‏@sharonchenfox5

#McStay Investigator testifying 5 checks totaling $18K were written and deleted, cashed from McStay's business account.

‏@DP_Shea

Hanke on Merritt's cell pinging in Victorville on Feb. 6: "He told me he was not in the High Desert on that day." #McStay

‏@DP_Shea

Hanke on confronting Merritt about deleting Quickbooks: ..."There were multiple stories." #mcstay

‏@websleuths

#McStay interview on CNN before he was arrested. Chilling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD8iPEoj4eg …

‏@SBcountyNow

Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 8, 2010, multiple checks were written, then deleted, on Joseph McStay's QuickBooks account, Hanke said. #McStay

Paul Krueger
@pkruegernbcsd
In #McStay murder hearing: evidence that accused killer, Charles Merritt, looted McStay bank acct and used $$ for casino gambling. #NBC7

‏@SBcountyNow

On Feb. 1, 2010, a vendor named "charlesmerritt" was added onto one of two QuickBooks accounts Joseph #McStay had, Henke said. #ChaseMerritt

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 1h1 hour ago

But #Merritt was already a listed vendor on the other QuickBooks account, Henke said. #McStay

David Gotfredson ‏@DavidCBS8 1h1 hour ago

#Mcstay preliim:SB homicide Det. Ryan Smith testified in Feb 2010 Merritt cashed several checks written with Quickbooks

‏@SBcountyNow

All the checks written on McStay's QuickBooks account after Feb. 4, 2010 were backdated to that date, Hanke said. #McStay #ChaseMerritt

Shea Johnson ‏@DP_Shea 1h1 hour ago

Merritt's sister, who lived in Oro Grande, told detectives her brother did not visit her Feb. 6. #mcstay

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‏@SBcountyNow

When interviewed, Merritt did not deny backdating the checks written on QuickBooks account, but offered no explanation, Hanke said. #McStay

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 5h5 hours ago

Bachman said Merritt's ex-girlfriend, Catherine Jarvis, told him #ChaseMerritt would often spend days at a time at the casinos. #McStay

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 5h5 hours ago

Smith said Merritt's sister, Juanita Merritt, was living in Oro Grande, near Victorville, when McStays were killed. #McStay #ChaseMerritt

Joe Nelson ‏@SBcountyNow 5h5 hours ago

But Juanita Merritt told investigators she was not visited by her brother on or around the time the McStays were killed, Smith said. #McStay

Angie Lee ‏@angiecbs8 5h5 hours ago

Judge Michael Smith says the evidence in #McStay is sufficient to stand trial for Chase Merritt @CBS8

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‏@DavidCBS8

#Mcstay preliim: Judge orders Merritt to stand trial on four counts of murder; cites Quickbook checks, DNA on trooper, cell phone pings.

‏@ArtieNBCSD

Mike McStay; I'm not opposed to he death penalty. "Use a rusty needle for all I care". #nbc7 #mcstay

‏@ArtieNBCSD

McStay mother: "it's been a hard day for me. It's not happy, and it's not sad. It's everything." #nbc7 #mcstay

Angie Lee ‏@angiecbs8 3h3 hours ago

#mcstay brother Mike McStay he's ready to fight for justice after judge orders Chase Merritt to stand trial @CBS8

Friday, June 12, 2015

Pre-preliminary Conference - Twitter

‏@PE_GailWesson

Today is pre-prelim hearing for Charles Merritt in the #McStay family homicides case. DA here, waiting for defense

‏@PE_GailWesson

9 am Monday start for preliminary hearing in #McStay case for defendant Charles Merritt.

‏@SBcountyNow

Judge Michael A. Smith set the preliminary hearing for 9 am Monday in Dept. S1. #McStay

Rob McMillan ‏@ABC7RobMcMillan 1h1 hour ago

Chase Merritt in the courtroom. Hearing underway.

‏@ABC7RobMcMillan

Chase Merritt: both sides are ready for preliminary hearing. District attorney estimates a day and a half.

‏@ABC7RobMcMillan

Chase Merritt preliminary hearing set for Monday, June 15th.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

What To Expect At The Prelim And Why DDA Sean Daugherty Is A Bad Ass

"When I asked the DA Sean Duagherty, for my own peace of mind, 'I don't need to know what evidence you have so I don't compromise the case, just that you have the physical evidence on Chase Merrit.' DA Sean's response was effortless,"We have a mountain of evidence against Chase, and some of it is circumstantial." - Michael McStay

Alleged Super-duper killer Merritt with his attorney

With the release of Monday's interview with Merritt's Attorney, Jimmy Mettias, it's no stretch of the imagination to realize the defense is doing damage control ahead of Chase Merritt's preliminary hearing scheduled June 15th.

Mettias said he and Merritt's three other attorneys didn't want to tip their hand, but they had "strong rebuttals" for "very circumstantial" evidence in the prosecution's case, including the belief the family was killed inside their home.

"You could expect the DA will claim, and their position has been maintained throughout, that the murders themselves occurred in the home. They'll rely on a couple of small things they believe would lead them to believe the murder happened at the home," he said. "The problem we've seen throughout this, there's not a shred of physical evidence that would even suggest that a quadruple homicide by bludgeoning people would have occurred inside the house."

Gotta love that Mettias labels the murder weapon, a sledgehammer with paint on it, as a "small thing". The claim is that the paint on the hammer did not come from the home. I guess we'll have to wait and find out.

But I'm willing to believe the prosecution will prove that the hammer did indeed come from the home.

Is this the only argument that the prosecution has against Merritt? Do they have to prove that the McStays were murdered in the home?

No.

One person expected to testify for the prosecution will be an official with QuickBooks, the accounting software company.

"There are some QuickBook transactions that are kind of central to their case in terms of developing their motive," Mettias said, without specifying further.

The claim elsewhere is that Chase Merritt regularly wrote checks to himself and then cleared it so that another business partner would not see it. Really? Is this what Merritt did the night of February 8th? In the past he was always calling Joseph to tell him he needed the money. Did Merritt need money? Why?

Another question, if Merritt needed money why didn't he ask for it on February 4th?

Maybe Merritt did exactly that and Joseph McStay flat out shut him down.

Whatever it was, after that luncheon, the fate of the McStay family would very soon be in the hands of a cold blooded murderer.

So here we are today, 5 days away from finding out what Deputy District Attorney Sean Daugherty will present to the judge to move forward with a trial. Does the prosecution have a weak case?

DDA and Legal Badass, Sean Daugherty

Let's look at some other cases that Daugherty has been involved with, one still pending trial.

From a link that is now dead:

Barstow , Ca

Jurors got a first look on Tuesday at the extensive injuries a Barstow couple is accused of inflicting on the man's 3-year-old son, injuries that resulted in his death.

Thomas Othy Darthart, 26, and Moy Yamill Ellis, 31, are charged with murder, torture, assault on a child resulting in death, and cruelty to a child resulting in death in connection with the death of Thomas Timothy Fredric Darthart in 2006. They are also facing the special circumstance that torture was inflicted, causing a victim to die.

Deputy District Attorney Sean Daugherty highlighted the list of injuries that the child received during his opening statement Tuesday. Daugherty's opening statement included a slideshow of photographs, taken at the Darthart home and during the autopsy, that showed cuts, bruises, and burns to a large portion of the child's body. Several jurors shook their heads and Darthart glanced backwards at the screen throughout the slideshow.

Daugherty also played a 911 call, from Sept. 5, 2006, in which Darthart tells the dispatcher that his son was unresponsive, but breathing. Darthart claimed that his son had hit his head in the bath the night before and needed CPR, but that he put him to bed afterward.

Ellisa attorney, Robert Amador, followed Daugherty and told jurors to remember the definitions of the charges his client faces. Amador also questioned the Barstow Police Department's investigation and said that they incorrectly focused on Ellis instead of Darthart.

"You'll hear witnesses say things about Moy Ellis during the trial, but no one saw Moy Ellis do anything" Amador said. "The police thought she did it and were hellbent on proving it."
Darthart's lawyer, Paul Henderson, did not present an opening statement to the jury.

Daugherty called Alan Gilbert and Kasey Tubbs, emergency medical technicians that were the first to respond to the 911 call, to the stand after the opening statements. Both witnesses testified that the child had no heartbeat, wasn't breathing and was cold to the touch when they arrived at the scene.

Darthart's son was found dead on his birthday, Nov. 5, 2006, after police responded to a 911 call on the 1300 block of Nancy Street, according to a Barstow Police Department report from 2006. The report stated that the child was found on a bed in the house with severe external and internal injuries.

The police investigation concluded that the child's injuries were purposely caused by one or both parents and that both parents knew about the injuries, but didn't seek medical aid for him.
Officers arrested Darthart and Ellis on Nov. 5, 2006. Ellis' daughter, 9 years old at the time of the incident, was taken into protective custody at the time.

Darthart and Ellis are both being held at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on $1.5 million bail.

Darthart/Ellis Verdict

Chiapulis

Razario - PDF

Red Mountain

The Death of Erin Corwin

Christopher Lee and Erin Corwin

The Erin Corwin case is a very important one. Sean Daugherty is currently the lead prosecutor of the charged defendant, Christopher Lee. Lee is charged with murdering Corwin, his then pregnant girlfriend, and disposing her body down a mineshaft.

Here is a link regarding the preliminary. Read very carefully about the evidence.

Erin Corwin

New details about Corwin's death, including her oblivious text messages, were revealed during a lengthy court hearing on Thursday at the courthouse in Joshua Tree. The "preliminary hearing" determined that the case against Lee was strong enough to proceed towards trial.

Testimony included the first-ever information about Corwin's cause of death and the physical evidence against Lee.

Corwin's text messages were read aloud during the testimony of Jessica Trentham, a close friend who spoke with her shortly before her disappearance. When Corwin told her about the desert trip, Trentham asked Corwin if she was expecting Lee to give her an engagement ring.
"She said maybe," Trentham. "With lots of exclamation points."

Corwin's texts included one more foreboding detail. According to Trentham's testimony, Corwin said that Lee had planned the desert trip as a romantic getaway, but he also expected to do some hunting, so he would bring a gun, and he might have to pull it out "for a few minutes."

Erin's Texts
"It apparently takes two hours just to get there. A long slow drive. Good talking time, though.”

“I seriously don’t know why he would drag me to a very special place … for a dumb surprise."

"He said the location is only half the surprise ... He's not sure how I'm going to react."

So why are these texts important? No one really knew about the texts before the preliminary. It's smart for the prosecution, as well as the defense, to keep evidence close to the vest in any case. For the most part, evidence that has been leaked has been from the defense.

Also not the Garrote that was located in the mineshaft with Corwin. Sound familiar?

But what about evidence that the Merritt legal team doesn't want you to know about? You will hear evidence on June 15th and rather wished you didn't know. That is how preliminary hearings work.

Why are these cases and Sean Daugherty important to the McStay case? Because Daugherty does cases that involve children. Because the people he's prosecuted harmed and killed completely defenseless people.
The family being buried in the desert seems to have a common thread with cases Daugherty has worked.

Whether it is small children, an elderly woman brutally raped and murdered, an ailing parent murdered by his own son, or a murdered young lady carrying child thrown down a mineshaft, Sean Daugherty takes each case seriously and passionately as if it's his own family who's been attacked.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Preliminary Hearing - Charles Ray Merritt -Tweets

Case FVI1404194 Defendant 505412 MERRITT , CHARLES RAY

Action: PRELIMINARY HEARING		Date: 05/19/2015		Time: 9:00 AM
		Division: S1		Hearing Status: DISPOSED

MICHAEL A SMITH, J-JUDGE

CLERK: DOLORES AMADOR

CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER: TW-THERESA WOLFE CSR# TW-6024

BAILIFF STEPHENS

APPEARANCES

SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY DDA MICHELLE LAURON FOR DDA SEAN DAUGHERTY.

DEFENDANT PRO PER.

DEFENDANT PRESENT IN CUSTODY.

ATTORNEY DAVID CALL PRESENT ON BEHALF OF DEFENDANT

AS ADVISORY COUNSEL.

ATTORNEY JIMMY METTIAS PRESENT.

PROCEEDINGS

ACTION CAME ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING

9:15

OFF RECORD, COURT AND COUNSEL CONFER IN CHAMBERS

9:30

IN CAMERA HEARING HELD.

DEFENDANT PRESENT IN CUSTODY.

ATTORNEY DAVID CALL PRESENT.

ATTORNEY JIMMY METTIAS PRESENT.

9:52

IN-CAMERA HEARING CONCLUDED.

HEARING IS ORDERED SEALED AND CONFIDENTIAL.

COURT RECONVENES ON THE RECORD IN OPEN COURT.

THE COURT STATES THAT DENFENDANT WAS BROUGHT TO COURT THIS MORNING WITHOUT HIS CASE FILE. THERE IS A POTENTIAL ISSUE REGARDING REPRESENTATION. PROSECUTION ADVISES THAT THE ASSIGNED DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS ILL TODAY.

FOR THESE REASONS - PRELIMINARY HEARING IS CONTINUED.

RECESS DECLARED BY THE COURT.

10:39

COURT RECONVENES ON THE RECORD.

IN-CAMERA HEARING IS HELD.

DEFENDANT PRESENT IN CUSTODY.

COUNSEL NOT PRESENT.

11:00

IN-CAMERA HEARING CONCLUDED.

HEARING IS ORDERED SEALED AND CONFIDENTIAL.

RECESS DECLARED BY THE COURT.

HEARINGS

HEARING CONTINUED TO 05/22/2015 AT 9:00 IN DEPARTMENT S1.

DEFENDANT ORDERED TO APPEAR ON HEARING DATE.

TIME WAIVERS

TIME WAIVER PREVIOUSLY GIVEN.

TIME WAIVED TO 06/18/2015.

Hearing continued until Friday, May 22, 9:00 AM. Charles Merritt has a tentative new attorney who has to get up to speed. He had a Dr.'s appointment this morning and couldn't get his case file. Cannot proceed without it. DA Daugherty is ill.

Patrick McStay at hearing:

Teri Figueroa @TeriFigueroaUT ·

Prelim for Chase Merritt in McStay case postponed again. Merritt may hire attorney. http://bit.ly/1IJwGpB

A family of four taken from their home and murdered, then buried in the desert... Justice for the #McStay family

Family of Joseph #McStay waiting to enter court at murder trial of #chasemerritt happening now #AC360

@AC360 #murder

‏@TeriFigueroaUT

Relatives of #McStay family have arrived for Chase Merritts murder prelim. Hes accused of killing fallbrook

family.

Chase Merritt was in the hospital yesterday. We don't know if he'll be in the courtroom today. Patrick McStay is attending the hearing.

Joe Nelson @SBcountyNow ·

Members of #ChaseMerritt family huddle for prayer outside courtroom. #McStay #Merritt @ryinie @KimGuim

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Charles Merritt Pre-preliminary Conference Livestream

NO Live streams today, so we'll tweet the hearing. My apologies.

The Honorable Judge Michael A. Smith approved two pool cameras and internet reporting motions so the hearing for the Pre-preliminary will be live-streamed starting at 8:30 A.M. Pacific on May 15, 2015:

http://abc7.com/live/

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/on-air/as-seen-on/KNBC-Live.html

http://www.utsandiego.com/tv/

These are the live streams I have found so far but will update as more information becomes available.

Not finding any Live Streams, so I may have to use Twitter.

Joe Nelson @SBcountyNow ·

Bailiff just instructed family & friends of both victims and Merritt to sit on opposite sides of the courtroom.

Joe Nelson @SBcountyNow ·

Pre-preliminary hearing about to begin for #McStay family murder suspect Charles "Chase" Merritt.

‏@TeriFigueroaUT

Chase Merritt now in courtroom. Hearing should begin shortly. #McStay

58s58 seconds ago

DP Anneli Fogt ‏@DP_anneli_fogt

Merritt says he is ready for Tuesday preliminary hearing. Estimated 1-2 day preliminary hearing

DP Anneli Fogt ‏@DP_anneli_fogt
Prelim will be Tuesday, if unfinished it will conclude on Friday

6m6 minutes ago

DP Anneli Fogt ‏@DP_anneli_fogt

Judge telling Merritt he is allowed preliminary hearing that is uninterrupted. May have to move hearing so it is not continuous

‏@TeriFigueroaUT

Looks like Merritt prelim a go next week. Will start Tuesday

‏@SBcountyNow

Judge Michael Smith set preliminary hearing Merritt for 9 am Tuesday.

Joe Nelson @SBcountyNow ·

Prosecutor Sean Daugherty said he would need at least a day and a half to 2 days to present evidence.

‏@PE_GailWesson

Merritt is fine with split days for prelim. In #mcstay Judge Michael A. Smith has a trial starting Monday in another case.

Photo published for Merritt: Investigators 'made errors'

Joe Nelson @SBcountyNow ·

Daugherty will present during preliminary hearing the prosecution's key evidence against #ChaseMerritt.

Joe Nelson @SBcountyNow ·

Smith scheduled the preliminary hearing for #Merritt in Dept. S1 of the court.

Joe Nelson @SBcountyNow ·

Smith said he has a civil trial underway in his courtroom, making a continuous prelim problematic.

Joe Nelson @SBcountyNow ·

#Merritt waived his right to a continuous preliminary hearing and agreed to return to court next Friday for remainder of prelim.

Case FVI1404194 Defendant 505412 MERRITT , CHARLES RAY

Action: PRE-PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE		Date: 05/15/2015		Time: 8:30 AM
		Division: S21A		Hearing Status: DISPOSED

MICHAEL A SMITH, J-JUDGE

CLERK: DOLORES AMADOR

CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER: TW-THERESA WOLFE CSR# TW-6024

BAILIFF STEPHENS

APPEARANCES

SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY DDA BRETT IMES FOR DDA SEAN DAUGHERTY.

DEFENDANT PRO PER.

DEFENDANT NOT PRESENT.

DAVID CALL PRESENT ON BEHALF OF DEFENDANT AS STANDBY COUNSEL.

PROCEEDINGS

ACTION CAME ON FOR PRE-PRELIMINARY HEARING

PARTIES ANNOUNCE READY FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING.

DEFENDANT WAIVES RIGHT TO A CONTINUOUS PRELIMINARY HEARING.

ESTIMATED TIME: 1 1/2-2 HOURS

HEARINGS

EXISTING DATES CONFIRMED.

PRELIMINARY HEARING SET FOR 5/19/15 AT 9:00 A.M.

DEPARTMENT S1.

DEFENDANT ORDERED TO APPEAR ON HEARING DATE.

TIME WAIVERS

TIME WAIVER PREVIOUSLY GIVEN.

TIME WAIVED TO 06/18/2015.

CUSTODY STATUS

CASE CUSTODY - IN CUSTODY

============= MINUTE ORDER END ================

A commenter kindly left this in the comments:

AnonymousMay 15, 2015 at 11:31 AM

Chase spoke with a CBS reporter.

Tom (T.J.) Wait ‏@CBSLATom · 54m54 minutes ago
Jailhouse interview with Charles Merritt (Man accused of killing #McStay family): As he said today in court... http://fb.me/2W2K2Bjc1

Jailhouse interview with Charles Merritt yesterday (Man accused of killing ‪#‎McStay‬ family): As he said today in court today, he's ready for his prelim to begin. Merritt said he will remain his own attorney for now and has no regrets about representing himself. He has a legal advisor and says he may decide to let the advisor represent him in the future. Merritt says all options are on the table.

He remains in protective custody at the West Valley Detention Center, segregated from the other prisoners... maintains his innocence... he would not reveal any of the evidence that he's reviewed as part of the case (he said he's analyzed 11-thousand pages of evidence).

I asked Merritt -- if he didn't do it, who did? He said no comment.

I also asked if it bothered him that the McStay family thinks he is the killer - he again said no comment. Same answer when I asked, if you are exonerated, will you try to make amends with the McStays?

He appeared healthy - despite earlier claims that his health was rapidly deteriorating. He was in good spirits. He stays motivated and focused because he has no other choice.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Tweets for Preliminary Hearing - June 15 - Charles Merritt

Friday, June 12, 2015

Pre-preliminary Conference - Twitter

Thursday, June 11, 2015

What To Expect At The Prelim And Why DDA Sean Daugherty Is A Bad Ass

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Preliminary Hearing - Charles Ray Merritt -Tweets

Case FVI1404194 Defendant 505412 MERRITT , CHARLES RAY

Hearing continued until Friday, May 22, 9:00 AM. Charles Merritt has a tentative new attorney who has to get up to speed. He had a Dr.'s appointment this morning and couldn't get his case file. Cannot proceed without it. DA Daugherty is ill.

Patrick McStay at hearing:

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Charles Merritt Pre-preliminary Conference Livestream

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