Crime & Safety
Verdict Reached In Murder Of Former San Clemente Family
A jury reached a verdict on Friday in the trial of a man accused of murdering the McStay family, who had recently moved from San Clemente.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA -- A verdict has been reached in the trial of Charles “Chase” Merritt, the man who's accused of murdering four members of a family that had recently moved from San Clemente to Northern San Diego County.
However, the verdict isn't being released immediately; according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, the reading of the verdict scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, June 10.
The McStay family -- consisting of Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their two children: Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3 -- was allegedly in their home on Feb. 4, 2010. Their bodies were found in shallow graves in the Mojave Desert, near Victorville, more than three years after the alleged killings.
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Merritt is a former business associate of Joseph McStay.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes known.
Find out what's happening in San Clementefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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