CA - Joey, Summer, Gianni, Joseph Jr McStay Murders - Feb 4th 2010 #6

[thelmadawg]

The prosecutor called the witness (the ex gf of DK's) unreliable, not the judge.

Sorry if I got that wrong, but I remembered it differently.

 

[katydid23]

Something I'm perplexed about. Chase successfully remotely accessed Joey's QB Custom account to create/print/delete checks on both Feb 1 and Feb 2. He successfully cashes one of the checks that he created on Feb 2.

So on Feb 4, after he allegedly murdered the family, why would he hang around the home on Joey's computer creating a check and then deleting it? It couldn't have been a "practice run" because he already had done all this days ago. Also, I can't imagine it would have been a priority on his mind at that particular time, having just bludgeoned a family of 4??? Especially since he already knew how it worked? Any thoughts?

I think he was maybe trying to cover himself for the check he cashed from the 2nd. He tried to make it look like Joey created this check maybe, to make it look like Joey was the one creating them, but then had second thoughts and deleted it?

 

[katydid23]

As an isolated incident, it doesn't look good. But if he called the day before and asked how to transfer the online account to a desktop account and then the next day inquired about deleting the online account when that was done... it's not so out of the ordinary. And that's according to Baker... the QB customer service rep. It was actually quite common. Baker didn't have the benefit of knowing about the call the day before... I do wonder why they didn't call the customer service rep from the previous day first before Baker.

But did he ever actually transfer the online account to a desktop account? Just calling and asking about it is not the same as doing so.

He claims that Joey asked him to do so. But if that was true, Joey would have given him all the necessary info to accomplish that task. But in the end, CM couldn't do it because he didnt have the passwords needed.

That ^^^ makes me doubt Chase's claim that Joey okayed it.

 

[katydid23]

But wasn't he also clear that that info came from Cathy? That was Cathy's memory, not his? the watching a movie and not answering? or standing at the bar and didn't answer, something like that.

Later on Cathy said that Chase asked her to lie for him. She said that he told her he was in the bathroom so he didnt answer it. But that would look bad, so he wanted her to alibi him.

I will try and find that info.

 

[mrjitty]

First check ever printed on Custom side of the account was printed and cashed by Merritt for $2495 on Feb 2nd at Union National near his home, 2 days prior to the familys' disappearance

Precisely.

The idea that this was some legit course of dealing is disproven by 2 facts

1. It started only on the 1st Feb
2. Chase fraudulently signed and cashed the cheques
3. Why backdate them as well as delete them?

 

[mrjitty]

But if what you speculate is true, why didnt Chase say so back at the start?

And why did he commit cheque fraud by signing Joey's signature

 

[Emi]

Here’s the case number... FVI1404194

Thanks for the info I truly appreciate

 

[katydid23]

I just wanted to let everyone know what a HORRIBLE company this is. Their owner, is Charles (also known as Chase) Merritt. He doesn’t know how to run his business, or the meaning of customer service. He sells and manufactures high-end and VERY expensive indoor and outdoor waterfalls to the general public as well as to people who want to buy wholesale from him and retail his product.

Waterfalls by Chase and Chase Merritt took my money, and never delivered my waterfall after weeks of Chase lying to me about it. My wife and I were so upset about this. We spent over $3000.00 on this thing! He is a jerk, and was very rude and unprofessional. He never returned my calls, and when I went in to his office, the only person in his “office” had no idea who I was, and she had nothing on file for me. This was not her fault, as she had only worked there a while, and didn’t know much about past clients. His office suite was extremely dirty, and it smelled like feces and urine. The floors were very visably dirty, and the walls were covered in grime and dirt. It was absolutely DISGUSTING! I can’t believe he could actually call that a business. I drove around and noticed many things about his shop that were not OSHA compliant.

I researched this company some more, and I have discovered he had ripped off clients for thousands of dollars, all over the USA. I have high connections, and I was priveledged to receive the following information. I also was informed that there are currently many lawsuits filed against him, but he doesn’t pay what is demanded of him. Even after it being ordered by a court of law. This man is a con-artist, and nothing more. I also found out he had past emplyoees whom he stole tax money from, as well as not paying some of them out for their last weeks of work. He actually took tax money from employees paychecks, and never paid it to the IRS! From the people that I have contacted or become aware of, he owes about $200,000 or more in money he has stolen. From attending trade shows and Home and Garden shows, I have also been told that he likes to copy other people’s ideas and waterfalls. I spoke to MANY distraught people that have not had good experiences with this company. Do yourself and your pocketbook a favor, and DO NOT BUY WATERFALLS FROM WATERFALLS BY CHASE or CHASE MERRITT.

Ripoff Report: Waterfalls By Chase - San Dimas, California Furniture & Furnishings

I have just read a report about Charles Merritt, AKA Waterfalls by Chase and wanted everyone to know that I was also a victim of Charles Merritt. I hired him to do a custom water feature at a shopping center. He delivered some of the materials and disappeared with $31,000.00. I have been trying to reach him ever since. All phone numbers have been disconnected. Like Dan, from Newport Beach, I agree, Do Not Give Charles Merritt your money, he will take it and dissappear! The man is a FRAUD! He frequents Home and Garden Shows, so beware!


Ripoff Report: Waterfalls By Chase - San Dimas, California Outdoor Furniture & Equipment

Wasn’t surprised to see other reports of this guy on here. He should not be allowed to do business anywhere. He plays a good honest game, but you should beware of doing business with Chase Merritt. He’s a fraud and you will lose your money.

I learned the hard way.

I see on the other reports he is called Charles Merrit too.

Last known Address:

I Design 4U
1649 E Mission Blvd Suite C,
Pomona, CA 91766
(909) 620-1010

Good luck contacting him. I’m sure he owes you money if you are reading this.

Ripoff Report: I Design 4u Chase Merritt - Pomona, California Outdoor Furniture & Equipment



Interesting stuff, huh? I haven’t found any Ripoff Reports for Michael McStay.

 

[travelbug]

I just wanted to let everyone know what a HORRIBLE company this is. Their owner, is Charles (also known as Chase) Merritt. He doesn’t know how to run his business, or the meaning of customer service. He sells and manufactures high-end and VERY expensive indoor and outdoor waterfalls to the general public as well as to people who want to buy wholesale from him and retail his product.

Waterfalls by Chase and Chase Merritt took my money, and never delivered my waterfall after weeks of Chase lying to me about it. My wife and I were so upset about this. We spent over $3000.00 on this thing! He is a jerk, and was very rude and unprofessional. He never returned my calls, and when I went in to his office, the only person in his “office” had no idea who I was, and she had nothing on file for me. This was not her fault, as she had only worked there a while, and didn’t know much about past clients. His office suite was extremely dirty, and it smelled like feces and urine. The floors were very visably dirty, and the walls were covered in grime and dirt. It was absolutely DISGUSTING! I can’t believe he could actually call that a business. I drove around and noticed many things about his shop that were not OSHA compliant.

I researched this company some more, and I have discovered he had ripped off clients for thousands of dollars, all over the USA. I have high connections, and I was priveledged to receive the following information. I also was informed that there are currently many lawsuits filed against him, but he doesn’t pay what is demanded of him. Even after it being ordered by a court of law. This man is a con-artist, and nothing more. I also found out he had past emplyoees whom he stole tax money from, as well as not paying some of them out for their last weeks of work. He actually took tax money from employees paychecks, and never paid it to the IRS! From the people that I have contacted or become aware of, he owes about $200,000 or more in money he has stolen. From attending trade shows and Home and Garden shows, I have also been told that he likes to copy other people’s ideas and waterfalls. I spoke to MANY distraught people that have not had good experiences with this company. Do yourself and your pocketbook a favor, and DO NOT BUY WATERFALLS FROM WATERFALLS BY CHASE or CHASE MERRITT.

Ripoff Report: Waterfalls By Chase - San Dimas, California Furniture & Furnishings

I have just read a report about Charles Merritt, AKA Waterfalls by Chase and wanted everyone to know that I was also a victim of Charles Merritt. I hired him to do a custom water feature at a shopping center. He delivered some of the materials and disappeared with $31,000.00. I have been trying to reach him ever since. All phone numbers have been disconnected. Like Dan, from Newport Beach, I agree, Do Not Give Charles Merritt your money, he will take it and dissappear! The man is a FRAUD! He frequents Home and Garden Shows, so beware!


Ripoff Report: Waterfalls By Chase - San Dimas, California Outdoor Furniture & Equipment

Wasn’t surprised to see other reports of this guy on here. He should not be allowed to do business anywhere. He plays a good honest game, but you should beware of doing business with Chase Merritt. He’s a fraud and you will lose your money.

I learned the hard way.

I see on the other reports he is called Charles Merrit too.

Last known Address:

I Design 4U
1649 E Mission Blvd Suite C,
Pomona, CA 91766
(909) 620-1010

Good luck contacting him. I’m sure he owes you money if you are reading this.

Ripoff Report: I Design 4u Chase Merritt - Pomona, California Outdoor Furniture & Equipment



Interesting stuff, huh? I haven’t found any Ripoff Reports for Michael McStay.

I agree, interesting information that speaks to CM and his dishonesty. Does he deserve prison time for fraud? Obviously, it appears that he does. There are similar complaints against DK regarding failure to provide waterfalls to customers after payment. That doesn't prove that either of them are capable of the mass slaughter of a loving family of 4. We need evidence that proves him guilty of murder. Thousands of examples of deception and fraud may make him guilty in the "court of public opinion", but it is insufficient evidence to prove premeditated murder.

 

[fridaybaker]

On the 5th, between 12 and 12 thirty pm, Merritt printed and cashed 15k worth of checks, backdating them to the 2nd. Two of those checks went to Metro. Merritt signed these checks as Joseph.

If Chase signed the checks as "Joseph" that is outright fraud. There is creating an account wherein two can have check-writing faculties, but signing another's name is fraud. Nothing else.

 

[katydid23]

I agree, interesting information that speaks to CM and his dishonesty. Does he deserve prison time for fraud? Obviously, it appears that he does. There are similar complaints against DK regarding failure to provide waterfalls to customers after payment. That doesn't prove that either of them are capable of the mass slaughter of a loving family of 4. We need evidence that proves him guilty of murder. Thousands of examples of deception and fraud may make him guilty in the "court of public opinion", but it is insufficient evidence to prove premeditated murder.

I wasnt saying that this is evidence of murder. But I was trying to show some evidence that Joey , knowing this past history of Chase, would not likely offer Chase the keys to his bank account. JMO

 

[katydid23]

Merritt's most recent felony conviction was in 2001, court records showed, when he admitted to stealing $32,000 worth of welding and drilling equipment from San Gabriel Valley Ornamental Iron Works in Monrovia, Calif.

He pleaded guilty to burglary and grand theft charges and was sentenced to 180 days in jail.

Merritt violated probation several times in subsequent years and failed to appear in court on numerous occasions, resulting in his probation period being extended and at least seven warrants being issued for his arrest between 2001 and 2010, the records showed.

His probation from the 2001 felony case ended on Sept. 14, 2010.

Merritt has also received several citations for driving on a suspended license, and appeared in Victorville traffic court as recently as July 2013.

None of Merritt's past crimes are violent in nature, as he pointed out in his interview with Daily Mail.

"Nine out of ten people on this planet have got some kind of criminal background," Merritt said to the tabloid.

"I am an old man. I got into trouble here and there when I was a kid, but I do not have some long criminal history, which is what people have tried to imply," he said.

McStay murder mystery: Who is Chase Merritt?

 

[Plumeria5]

He did lie. Here is a detailed interview from 2014:


The last day: 'He was excited about life and how I regret not taking that last call'

As one of his closest friends and confidents, it was fitting that Mr Merritt was the last known person to see Joseph alive and the one who first discovered he was missing.

He said: ‘I was the last person Joseph saw. He came to Rancho Cucamonga on February 4 to talk to me about a huge business deal we had going on in Saudi Arabia.

‘We met for an hour-and-a-half for lunch. He was so excited. We had the Saudi Arabian project and a few other things going on. The business had never been so good and we were looking forward to the future. He did nothing to suggest there was anything wrong or untoward.

‘We both left and went home and I spoke to him on the phone about two or three times on his drive back to Fallbrook, all standard business stuff. The last time I spoke to him was around 6 o’clock.

‘It has been reported that I spoke to him in the evening, but that isn’t true. He did call me at 8.28pm, but I was watching a movie with my girlfriend, looked at the phone and decided not to answer.

'When you talk to Joseph it takes about half an hour, so I thought I’d catch up with him in the morning.

‘I didn’t answer that call and I regret it to this day.’ That was the last call made from Joseph’s phone. Around 40 minutes earlier a neighbor’s security camera caught what looked like the bottom of the family’s Isuzu Trooper pulling away from their home.

But then there was nothing until the car was found, empty on the border.

'Prime suspect' in McStay murder mystery breaks his silence | Daily Mail Online


so he lied in this interview, and said he was watching a movie with CJ. But later on we find out that was a lie, and they were not watching a film, he just asked her to say that because he was actually in the restroom when the call came in.

And now, he says he doesn't remember it at all. Which he has to say because cell logs say it didnt go through.

Thank you!! Story has evolved hasn't it!

 

[travelbug]

It is a shame that we don't have a thread that is restricted to trial information. There are many of us who want to discuss the facts of the trial, the prosecution case and the defense case in a logical and readable manner. This thread started out that way, but the last 3 or 4 parts of it have muddied the waters for those who are trying to follow the court procedings. jmho

 

[katydid23]

Prior to and after the McStay family disappeared, Merritt had written checks totaling more than $15,000 on Joseph McStay’s Quickbooks software accounting program. Some of the checks were written after the McStay’s disappearance on Feb. 4, 2010, and those electronic checks were backdated to Feb. 4, according to search warrants and testimony from the preliminary hearing.

Merritt told San Diego County sheriff’s detective Troy Dugal during a July 7, 2011 interview that Joseph McStay had given him permission to access and use his Quickbooks accounting software program and had been in possession of six blank checks prior to Joseph McStay’s disappearance. Merritt said he used the checks to pay bills and to pay himself for jobs completed, according to search warrants.

Merritt admitted to Dugal he signed Joseph McStay’s name on three of the checks, and claimed the other three checks he had written already had Joseph McStay’s signature on them.

“There is no evidence, other than Merritt’s statement, to suggest Merritt had permission to use Joseph’s Quickbooks accounting software to write checks,” Detective Ryan Smith wrote in a search warrant affidavit. “Merritt is not an authorized signer on the account.”

Merritt allegedly forged and cashed multiple computer generated checks from Joseph McStay’s business account after the family was killed, and investigators determined 76 blank checks were still missing – believed to have been taken by Merritt, according to the search warrants.

Investigators in San Diego County zeroed in on Merritt as a suspect in the case when the investigation was initially launched in February 2010 as a missing persons case.
Joseph McStay was going to fire his alleged killer over gambling debt, documents say – San Bernardino Sun

 

[mrjitty]

But you can't hide that, because the checks were cashed. There would be bank statements. The only person who could be fooled, and only for a little while, would have been Joey. If Joey is dead, no reason to hide the Quickbooks activity.

This is 100% backwards for the reason I already explained

 

[fridaybaker]

deleted

 

[mrjitty]

We also know that Joey didn't want even Joe Sequieda to know exactly what he was making on fountains. I think Joey saw a change coming. A huge increase in his business and income. He was moving out of just having a little on-line business to potentially something much much bigger. He was smart-it was time to protect his assets more carefully than he'd had to when he was simply reselling pre-manufactured fountains.

So his smart way of protecting his assets was to let conman chase who owned him 40k to write fraudulent cheques in joeys name

Errrr

 

[MsFacetious]

I'm glad we have different opinions about this case. Remember tho, we are a 1/4 way into the actual trial.

That's an extremely optimistic estimate. I fear it's more like 1/6 if we are lucky.

I truly have no dog in this fight. I'm looking hard at the evidence. The evidence is leading me, and I'll in go the direction the evidence takes me.

There was a time I was certain Chase did this. Ironically, it is the state's narrative that convinced me I might be mistaken.

Exactly my position as well.

Maybe he confused days, times...we just don't know. Joey and Chase spoke as many at 30 times a day-I think when you speak to someone THAT much, times when you spoke or when calls came in that you failed to answer, might blur, just a little.

I can confirm this. When somebody calls me that many times a day I could never pinpoint when a certain conversation occurred. With rare exceptions for memorable moments. I also have someone that is a "can't answer, don't have 30 minutes" type of phone call. Though, for mine it's more like 90 minutes. Especially if he's drinking.

 

[mrjitty]

Well then if he was home at 8:28 pm with his gf/wife because she said he was then I guess he didn't murder the McStays after all.

Except we know he was not home with his girlfriend because he calls her around 9.30pm