It's amazing that CM committed these crimes and got such light sentences, I've NEVER seen anything like it. From the article
Chase Merritt Trial In Horrific McStay Family Murder Case Begins | SBCSentinel
No record of Merritt’s juvenile convictions, if any, was available to the Sentinel.
All of the crimes contained in Merritt’s available criminal jacket pertain to ones committed by him after he had reached the age of majority.
On February 4, 1977, he was convicted of burglary, for which he served a 66 day jail sentence.
On July 28, 1977, he was convicted of petty theft, for which he was given a 60 day sentence.
On October 24, 1978, he was convicted of criminal trespass, and given a 30 day sentence.
On November 18, 1978, he was convicted of burglary and sentenced to two years in state prison.
On April 16, 1985, he was convicted of receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to 365 days in county jail as a consequence.
On February 4, 1987, he was convicted of receiving stolen property, which netted him 16 months in state prison.
On May 21, 1988, he was convicted of receiving stolen property. He spent 14 days in prison as a result.
On June 17, 1988, he was convicted of a parole violation but was not incarcerated.
On April 2, 2001, he was convicted of burglary and grand theft. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail.
On at least 11 occasions, he failed to appear in court as scheduled. In seven of those cases, warrants were issued for his arrest. At the time of the McStay family murders, he was wanted on a probation violation warrant.