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I almost feel worse for Patrick. He's so far away in Texas and seems to get excluded from the local happenings. I admire him for dedicating so many years of his life to finding out what happened to his family. I'm so relieved the family's ordeal is finally over and they can begin to move forward.

Michael McStay was there as well and spoke to the people who put it up and they were good with it being taken down. I'm happy it was dismantled. That was a place of evil, not the peaceful resting place the McStays deserve.

I just read the other day that the average time in California for an appeal is 17 years. Merritt is 62 years old with health issues so there's a very good chance he'll be dead before his first appeal is ever finalized. Oh well.

Ah yes, the wonderful State of California gets to foot the bill for the defense team and their string of "expert" witnesses. You are so welcome, Merritt. o_Oo_O

She's obviously very biased and pro defense. Reason #1,395.2 why I quit L&C.

Holy cow! I wonder what happened?

Limited visits from loved ones, no street clothes, no darkness or quiet when he tries to sleep... But he'll have lots of time to hone his card playing skills.

Has anyone seen this happen before, the DP and LWOP? Am I the only one who didn't think this kind of a verdict was possible? I've never watched a multiple person homicide trial so this is new to me.

I couldn't get it either and I'm on a laptop.

I agree OBE. I also think our judicial system plays a big part as well, at least in California. The punishments now are not at all like they once were when people were actually afraid to break the law for fear of serious consequences. Ask most law enforcement in Southern California and they'll...

Did they even deliberate for a full hour? SMDH

I wonder if any family will give a victim's impact statement? I kind of feel like some home videos of the family is really all that's needed. The jury and judge already know the rest.

I'm looking forward to reading her book about the case. I believe she will write it in a very fair way and mostly unbiased.

Remember they have the hour and a half to get everyone back to the courthouse. If they come in at 8:30, read the verdict at 10:00 that's only a half hour before they have to leave, and that's assuming everything goes like clock work. I don't think they'll read it any sooner than Monday.

This is a great read about LWOP vs DP. The Truth About Life Without Parole: Condemned to Die in Prison

It's Friday. They probably want to leave early to avoid Friday traffic.

Yes I am. :) I think katydid23 in post #895 read my mind. I'm wondering if they actually want DP.

Oh ok, now I understand. What I meant by pissing off the jury is doing so if they're hoping for a death sentence. It seems to me like that's what they're wanting since they made no pleas asking otherwise. Idk, the entire thing was weird.

Even if he didn't admit guilt he could've said the same things. We respect your decision, don't agree with it but you've made the final verdict and now we ask...blah, blah, blah. He should've done everything except insult the jury. Unless he was intentionally trying to piss them off.

Here's a link for when they return a verdict. Watch Live: Charles Merritt Sentencing Hearing in McStay Family Murders