(quote)
The QuickBooks account was used by McStay to write checks to vendors connected to his water fountain business.
Authorities testified that Merritt was added as a vendor to the account on Feb. 1, 2010 in an update that did not appear to be created by McStay.
The next day, they testified, Merritt cashed a check from the account and two days after that, McStay - after logging on to the account - called his bank. The next day he and his family disappeared.
According to authorities, shortly after the McStay family's disappearance, checks for more than $13,000 backdated to the day the family was last seen were cashed or deposited by Merritt from the QuickBooks account.
Warrants released Wednesday indicate Dan Kavanaugh, another business associate of Joseph McStay, told investigators McStay lent Merritt $30,000 to cover a gambling debt and that McStay planned to fire Merritt.
Court docs: Suspect in McStay murder case owed victim money
The QuickBooks account was used by McStay to write checks to vendors connected to his water fountain business.
Authorities testified that Merritt was added as a vendor to the account on Feb. 1, 2010 in an update that did not appear to be created by McStay.
The next day, they testified, Merritt cashed a check from the account and two days after that, McStay - after logging on to the account - called his bank. The next day he and his family disappeared.
According to authorities, shortly after the McStay family's disappearance, checks for more than $13,000 backdated to the day the family was last seen were cashed or deposited by Merritt from the QuickBooks account.
Warrants released Wednesday indicate Dan Kavanaugh, another business associate of Joseph McStay, told investigators McStay lent Merritt $30,000 to cover a gambling debt and that McStay planned to fire Merritt.
Court docs: Suspect in McStay murder case owed victim money