NBC 7 was once again inside the courtroom Tuesday. His son, Joseph, his daughter-in-law, Summer, and their two little boys, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 vanished. He just gave me the quote of the day on the continuing delays. The newly unsealed documents indicate Joseph McStay lent Chase Merritt money to cover a gambling debt before McStay and his family disappeared in February 2010. I have been in complete denial about having schizophrenia for the last few years. A year later,Charles 'Chase' Merritt, who was a partner in Joseph's water-fountain business, was arrested for bludgeoning the married couple and their children to death inside their home in Fallbrook because he owed them $30,000. 'I'm gonna get out the information and try to find them.'. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, PrettyLittleThing - Offers on women's clothing, Get inspired by the newest styles and offers, Click through for ASOS promo codes this Autumn, Spend less with Missguided's exclusive codes, Treat yourself to offers on make-up and accessories, Check out the latest Wayfair sale to save on furniture. Charles Merritt was convicted of killing Joseph and Summer McStay along with their two sons. When their remains were unearthed, investigators also found a rusty sledgehammer that they said was used to kill the family. Merritt was arrested the following year. The judge has been speaking for the last hour - and still going, reviewing in slow, excruciating detail certain facts of the case. How they stalked the stalker: A gripping new true crime 'It did get weird': Couple who are in the middle of divorce Woman finds out her husband was cheating on her after he was made an equally emotional statement ahead of the sentencing being handed down, telling the court how the killings had scarred their lives. 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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 . In October 2009, Joseph McStay excitedly e-mailed a friend about the house he and his wife had purchased in the San Diego suburb of Fallbrook, Calif. Joseph was his older brother, by three years, two months, three days, he toldSan Bernardino County Supervising Deputy District Attorney Britt Imes. He was in the hospital for a couple of weeks, and on the (February) 4, he was talking to my mother and he had to pull over when he was driving home because he felt vertigo type symptoms.'. Despite all the problems they had and how explosive Summer was, I dont know if he ever truly believed she was capable of that, but it was definitely something he considered. On Tuesday, the judge said the sentencing stands: Merritt gets life in prison for the killing of Joseph McStay, and the death penalty for the slayings of Summer McStay, Gianni McStay, and Joseph McStay Jr. Charles Merritt was sentenced to death for killing the McStay family. According to state records, Merritt had felony convictions for burglary and receiving stolen property. Now Merritt who actually took a voluntary lie detector test at the time of their disappearance and was the last person to see Joseph alive has decided to write a tell all book, in an effort to clear up the mystery. The two children were very young a three-year-old and a four-year-old. The sentencing was supposed to begin at 8:30 a.m. but was delayed by about an hour because Merritt, for unknown reasons, wasn't transported to the courthouse. McStay says he's felt all along that multiple people were involved in the February 2010 disappearance of his son, Joseph; Joseph's wife, Summer; and their children; 3-year-old Joey and. Charles Chase Merritt was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStays wife, Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr. Three years later, their bodies were found in a remote desert location more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) away in San Bernardino County. The McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, United States; their bodies were found in the desert near Victorville, California, on November 13, 2013. At the time, Joseph owned an online company named Earth Inspired Products that sold decorative water fountains. Judge just denied defense motion to reduce potential sentence to life in prison (Judge will also consider death). He always said, "I have messed up one family before, I will not be unfaithful and ruin another one". His words were a precursor to the deep pain the rest of the McStay family's loved ones would share Tuesday in court. I was not his best friend, but he was mine and I believe he opened up to me about things he would not tell anyone else. How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Meghan's (very expensive) date night look! [20] Although it is possible for a U.S. citizen to enter Mexico without a passport, one is required to reenter the United States. Mystery:Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, vanished from their home in Fallbrook, California, on February 4, 2010, Tragedy: Joseph'sparents, Patrick McStay and Susan Blake, have opened up about the murders on the second season of the Oxygen true-crime series Killer Motive. [17] Because their car was found so close to the Mexican border, police reviewed surveillance footage of the pedestrian gate into Mexico. Everything with her seemed to be done for gain.. Who'll find love on our blind date? He has pleaded not guilty to the charges that he killed McStay, 40, a former business associate; his wife, Summer, 43, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, in their Fallbrook home on Feb. 4, 2010, then buried their bodies more than 100 miles away in two shallow graves in the Mojave Desert, north of Victorville and west of the 15 Freeway. Princess Diana's nieces Lady Eliza and Amelia share Do not sell or share my personal information. Six victim impact statements were heard before Merritt got a chance to speak at the continued sentencing hearing Tuesday. Summer had also ordered a Spanish-language education program a few months prior to their disappearance. But the details of this case go back decades and has many twists and turns. "[25], On November 5, 2014, detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department arrested Merritt in connection with the deaths of the McStay family after discovering that his DNA had been recovered from their car. The family had moved to Fallbrook, 45 miles north of San Diego, in November 2009 fromSan Clemente. Merritt looked at Blake as she spoke. I would never hurt him in any way. With the motions finally out of the way, the judge moved on to the victim impact statements just before 11:20 a.m. Merritt was also expected to speak after the victims delivered their statements. All of the motions were denied. Blake was followed in testimony by her son and Joseph McStays brother, Michael McStay who said Joseph gave him $2,000 to start his fire sprinkler system business. Merritt also says Summer had a terrible temper and would often snap at her husband over completely insignificant things. Merritt and Kavanaugh both worked with McStays online business, Earth Inspired Products, which offered outdoor water fountains to customers. Did you always look up to him Imes asked. Just a monster., After a delay, the convicted killer of the McStay family of Fallbrook will be sentenced today. The back of the check said endorsement cancelled, he pointed out. We are scarred for life., Its been almost 10 years and the pain hasnt subsided, she added. Merritt is fully aware that his book will ruffle feathers and anger certain people, but he believes his intimate knowledge of Josephs life means he may be able to shed some light on the mystery. [16], After their disappearance, it was speculated that the McStays left voluntarily since investigators found searches on the family's computers for "What documents do children need for traveling to Mexico?" Investigators also have e-mails indicating the couple asked. [26], According to the arrest warrant affidavits filed in the case, autopsies concluded that all four victims had been beaten to death with a blunt object. 09:19 EST 04 Jan 2014 Crying for mommy and daddy?" For years, police speculated they went to Mexica, but the McStays bodies were later found buried in the Mojave Desert in November 2013. But what happened to Joseph McStay, 40, his 43-year-old wife, Summer, and sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3? , updated How could you beat two precious little babies?