Jeff Pack
Staff Writer
A series of motions and arguments brought forth by Charles “Chase” Merritt’s defense team just minutes before Merritt’s scheduled sentencing date Friday, Jan. 17 ultimately caused San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Michael A. Smith to delay the final sentencing until Tuesday, Jan. 21. Judge Smith was scheduled to decide whether Merritt will be put to death or serve life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing of the McStay family of Fallbrook in 2010. In June, Merritt was found guilty of bludgeoning to death Joseph and Summer McStay and the couple’s young sons – 4-year-old Gianni and 3-year-old Joseph Jr. – in 2010 and burying their bodies in a San Bernardino desert. [caption id="attachment_15666" align="alig
