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

[Edmo]

No, that isn't how it happened. The swabs were taken and put in evidence. After the bodies were found, those swabs were sent to the FBI and were tested. So that was sometime after Nov. 2013.

See post #494

 

[Plumeria5]

I like the theory: However, the storage units went "unpaid" and were later auctioned off. Unless CM wrapped their bodies so that not a single drop of blood/fluids would be found in them, which is possible, I would expect that when they were auctioned off, the "new" owners would have noticed any blood/fluids that would have been left behind? Those units would have been given new locks, by the storage company, once the fee's weren't paid. No one would be able to access them, unless they cut the locks etc . . . JMO

The other scenario could be he had Joey in his truck when he drove down to Fallbrook. The compartment in the middle of his truck was covered, correct? But then that would mean he was driving around with 4 bodies in his truck for a couple of days.

 

[missy1974]

Thanks for asking... Well, a few days ago I said I wished there was a poll feature here, I asked, do you think CM is guilty, if so do you think he did it alone, etc. A few replied. And there seemed to be a consensus that he's guilty. That was disappointing to me. Because when everyone agrees, then there is not much to discuss and argue about, especially in this case when it's all circumstantial, so when all or most people believe he's guilty without enough evidence, then the discussion becomes "let's see how we can interpret the evidence to support our belief that he's guilty". I think I read posts that said how he put his hand under his chin when the photos of the remains were shown, what does that mean, as if that somehow showed he's guilty (I am by no means being personal, but I'm talking about the way people make their judgement about guilty or not). For the sake of argument: so what if he didn't put his hand under his chin? What if he put his hand on top of his head? Or put his right hand over his left hand? Or put his left hand over his right hand? Was that what he would do when he's nervous or remembering something disturbing? Same about picture of him in the desert hole. Honestly I see nothing unusual or guilt-suggestive in these. There are probably more guilty-suggestive pictures of other folks that we haven't seen, but we are given this one suspect CM, so let's analyze every facial muscle and every picture of him to find signs that suit our belief that he's guilty. Seriously? If you do that, you can probably find most of ourselves guilty given a few more "circumstantial evidence" to put us on the defendant seat.

Please don't take this personal in any way - fact is, I haven't read most of the posts here, and don't remember who posted what.

I agree that discussion is good, and different view points are good, I mean... we are on a discussion forum right lol

Thanks for answering me And I apologize if I didn't answer your question! I am thinking guilty but unsure if they are going to be able to prove it BARD right now. I am willing and open to having my mind changed though at this point, whether it can be shown that someone else did it, or if I see some good evidence from the State (the financials and cell info is going to be hard for the defense to argue IMO)

I hope you post when you see or hear something differently than others here, I sometimes need that to get thinking more and it helps to process all the possibilities.

 

[Edmo]

The other scenario could be he had Joey in his truck when he drove down to Fallbrook. The compartment in the middle of his truck was covered, correct? But then that would mean he was driving around with 4 bodies in his truck for a couple of days.

If they were killed in the home, they would either be buried right away, or stored somewhere else. I read today that CM's phone was "off" for 20 hours on the 5th, don't know if this is actual factual? If it is, he could've buried them in the early am hours of the 5th. Then bury items of evidence on the 6th when his phone pings out there. I just don't know for a fact that his phone was off for 20 hours on the 5th?

 

[missy1974]

With CMs background as a prospector I guess he could have quite confidently dug the graves a day or so before actual burial, and he had the equipment to do it. If anyone came across him (however unlikely) he could have said he was just prospecting for gold. I do hope the prosecution use that photo of him knee deep in the hole he dug, demonstrates he’s familiar with digging holes in the desert...

That could be interpreted 2 ways though... if he had the capability to bury them that deep, than why didn't he? I can't recall the exact measurements, but IIRC the graves were not that deep. Could be why the defense kept asking about the depth?

 

[missy1974]

I understand now. SDSO collected the DNA samples, but it wasn't until 2014 when SBSO compared them to CM's DNA. That is a huge facepalm for SDSO, IMO. I guess they must have been heading in a different direction on what they thought happened to the McStay's. They must have believed CM when he had said he had been in the vehicle and finding his DNA wasn't a "red flag" to them? Just wow, though.

They didn't even test any swabs until 2014 is my understanding, CM's or the truck swabs. Remember, SDSO thought they were voluntarily missing.

 

[missy1974]

It's strange that you brought this up, Missy, but 'I' was one of the ones who was very hesitant to join this trial forum. LOL! I came very close to deciding I wasn't going to participate in this one.

I usually try to stay clear of forums that may become contentious at times. Anyone who has posted with me for years knows I'm very easygoing. That's just who I am, and always have been. I'm glad I worried needlessly because all posters have been a joy to post with.

I knew in this one I would immediately be considered an outsider since I was never one of those who consistently posted in any of the McStay discussion threads that went on for many years.

I knew I wouldnt be up to date on all of the past rumors or what was said by whom or against whom for many years.

When CM was arrested, I did post at that time in the discussion forum down under that his own interview long ago had made me highly suspicious of him so it didn't surprise me when he had finally been arrested.

I remember my opinion of Merritt even back then didnt go over very well with many of the long time posters. LOL!!

Reading occasionally before the bodies were found I did get the gist of it but none of the details that at that point when CM was arrested it seemed most of the dedicated discussion posters already had their own suspect in mind, and seem to be sure of it which is their entitled right to have ...then and now. I never delved into who all they suspected.

So all of the years before it became a homicide investigation I really felt I had nothing to say much or add during those long years of discussions.

I only posted and read every now, and then afterwards try to read pertinent information about CMs upcoming trial.

I have seen several other cases though where the majority were 100 percent certain it was a particular suspect/person before the actual suspect was arrested.

I never quite understood that concept either since an arrest has to be made first to even know who's responsible, and then a trial has to be held before all facts in evidence against any defendant can become fully known in this case or in all cases for that matter.

Sometimes jumping to conclusions prematurely without any evidence often winds up accusing many of those who were completely innocent having no involvement whatsoever. I sure have seen that happen over the years.

I really did expect to be in the teeny tiny minority group of posters in this trial forum when it comes to Merritt's guilt or legally NG, or believing he is innocent.

I know we all bring our own perspectives about how each one of us digests the same evidence. I've already seen much CE that already points to his guilt along with CoG.

I do realize however everyone on an individual basis weighs each CE fact differently even if they come to the same conclusion.

I'm not ever going to try to sway anyone's opinion who either believes he is NG or outright innocent or those who think the state isn't meeting their burden of proof.

Those are individual decisions which can only be made by each individual person.

I wouldn't ever do that nor have I ever done so. I'm just here only to post my own opinions based on how 'I' interpret the evidence submitted in any trial, and how 'I' view what has been said or on other informative information that has been provided.

I only can be true to myself, and always try to post my own opinions honestly, clearly as possible, and with respect on how I view something based on what is known.

That is why I don't have much prior knowledge at all on past rumors or prior theories including other suspects about this case.

I just go by what has been learned from the witness stand or when I read a past news article that clears up something asked during the trial discussion.

I only express my own held opinions. That's all.

Ocean.

Thanks Ocean! I have a feeling my mind is going to change many times through this trial, and I when the jury goes to deliberate I really won't know which way they will go and I won't be surprised by either. We will see though

I should probably put a disclaimer on all my posts that I may or may not change my mind on just about everything in this case haha

 

[QueenBofOB]

There are so many combinations of ways CM got the bodies to where they were buried and the Trooper to the border. This is my first choice.

1. Joey was killed after lunch and never made it home, possibly storing his body in a storage unit and hiding the Trooper. He then drove his truck to Fallbrook and killed Summer and the boys, loaded them into his truck, and took them to the storage unit with Joey's body awaiting burial. CM drove the Trooper to the border and somehow got a ride back to his home.

This is exactly what I thought, when I first started investigating the family's disappearance--that JM never made it home that day, after the lunch meeting. Then Summer and the children were either abducted or killed in the home, by CM. As far as how CM got back, from the border, there are many, many options. Greyhound has a bus depot right there, within walking distance of where the Trooper was parked. There's SD Trolley (which he could've ridden to Amtrak or taken a city bus to the airport, then flown to Ontario which is 3.5mi from R.Cucamonga) and also a couple of buses that cater to Latino's, like TRES ESTRELLAS DE ORO, FRONTERAS DEL NORTE and INTERCALIFORNIAS, I'm fairly certain they have stops in Northern SD county, Riverside and L.A. Was 2/8/2010 President's Day? I've tried to look it up, but can't find it. That would mean less traffic that day. I find it very "interesting," how CM has stated numerous times, that he "was definitely the LAST person, to see JM." It's as though he is putting out a clue and mocking LE to try to come up with something. And IF JM was his "best friend," why wasn't there any sadness or wistfulness, during his LE or CNN interviews?
It will be very interesting to see what CJ has to say on the stand. Although, she's probably as much of a con artist as her sleazy ex-boyfriend.

 

[Cricket28]

Why would he be as McG was Summer’s friend not Joey’s?!

IIRC McGyver was actually friends with Joey before he was friends with SM. In fact JM and McGyver were roommates in San Clemente.

MOO

 

[Force Ten]

Could he have gone to pick up the toys she found on Craigslist?

Rumor is those toys were in the Trooper for up to 2 weeks.

 

[missy1974]

I like the theory: However, the storage units went "unpaid" and were later auctioned off. Unless CM wrapped their bodies so that not a single drop of blood/fluids would be found in them, which is possible, I would expect that when they were auctioned off, the "new" owners would have noticed any blood/fluids that would have been left behind? Those units would have been given new locks, by the storage company, once the fee's weren't paid. No one would be able to access them, unless they cut the locks etc . . . JMO

Also, I believe the cord(s), rope and tie-downs were used to transport the bodies to the gravesite. You wouldn't want 4 bodies flopping around on the freeway/Cajon Pass in the back of your truck, at least i wouldn't.

The storage units... there is more than one storage unit in this case.

There were storage pods that had the majority of the McStay's belongings that they had not moved to their home yet because they were renovating. Those were never able to be recovered by the family and were auctioned off.

Then there was said to be a storage unit that either Chase had for supplies, or that Joey and Chase shared together. The defense asked Sgt Smith about that storage unit the other day and Smith said they were unable to find a record of that storage unit.

 

[Edmo]

They didn't even test any swabs until 2014 is my understanding, CM's or the truck swabs. Remember, SDSO thought they were voluntarily missing.

I'm guilty of reading news articles, blogs etc. From what I read earlier, the paper was quoting the search warrant episode from court. They said it wasn't until 2014 when SBSO COMPARED the results from SDSO that matched to CM. To me, that means that SDSO had already received the results. They didn't say that they were tested in 2014, just that SBSO compared them to CM. That's how I interpreted it.

 

[Sharyne]

aww thanks @Sharyne I really do like looking for the 'facts' but sometimes it comes down to the gut, doesn't it? I stumbled back into the McStay forum the night before Day 1 and my gut and heart tells me that Chase did this, no matter what the defense says, but my brain tells me that they need to prove it also. If they can find plausible scenarios to explain some of the evidence, there is a possibility that they can create that reasonable doubt, that's all they need really. Juries shouldn't convict or not convict on gut feelings, so I am looking forward to the rest of the trial

I hope you continue to post your thoughts as the trial goes on... do you think the prosecution could change your mind with the evidence?

Of course if there is more than just CE which can point only in one direction.

ETA BTW, since I am ambidextrous on many things, when I am getting into my car with my keys and purse in my right hand and when carrying something else in my left hand, I use my right hand to open part way and push the rest of the way so I can sit down and move my item to passenger seat. *smile* Otherwise, most of the time I use left hand to open driver's door.

 

[Tortoise]

This is exactly what I thought, when I first started investigating the family's disappearance--that JM never made it home that day, after the lunch meeting. Then Summer and the children were either abducted or killed in the home, by CM. As far as how CM got back, from the border, there are many, many options. Greyhound has a bus depot right there, within walking distance of where the Trooper was parked. There's SD Trolley (which he could've ridden to Amtrak or taken a city bus to the airport, then flown to Ontario) and also a couple of buses that cater to Latino's, like TRES ESTRELLAS DE ORO, FRONTERAS DEL NORTE and INTERCALIFORNIAS, I'm fairly certain they have stops in Northern SD county, Riverside and L.A. Was 2/8/2010 President's Day? I've tried to look it up, but can't find it. That would mean less traffic that day. I find it very "interesting," how CM has stated numerous times, that he "was definitely the LAST person, to see JM." It's as though he is putting out a clue and mocking LE to try to come up with something. And IF JM was his "best friend," why wasn't there any sadness or wistfulness, during his LE or CNN interviews?
It will be very interesting to see what CJ has to say on the stand. Although, she's probably as much of a con artist as her sleazy ex-boyfriend.

bbm Google says President's Day was Mon 15th.

 

[Edmo]

That could be interpreted 2 ways though... if he had the capability to bury them that deep, than why didn't he? I can't recall the exact measurements, but IIRC the graves were not that deep. Could be why the defense kept asking about the depth?

One was only 18", I do remember that. I believe the other was around the same depth, maybe an inch less?

 

[missy1974]

If they were killed in the home, they would either be buried right away, or stored somewhere else. I read today that CM's phone was "off" for 20 hours on the 5th, don't know if this is actual factual? If it is, he could've buried them in the early am hours of the 5th. Then bury items of evidence on the 6th when his phone pings out there. I just don't know for a fact that his phone was off for 20 hours on the 5th?

Ok, we need to put the 20 hours off thing to rest lol I went and checked the preliminary hearing testimony... this is what it says and this is all we have for now to go from.


Q Turning to Friday, February 5th, 2010, what were the
results of your analysis on the defendant's cell phone records
on that day?
A Well, at 7 A.M. is when he originates a phone call. It
appears that he's checking his voice mail. His phone was in the
general area of Upland, California, at that time.
The next activity is at 10:45 and 10:46, which is in the
general area of Santa Clarita. At 10:59 A.M. he has contact
with a cell tower in the general area of Interstate 210 near the
San Fernando area.
And then between 12:49 P.M. and 2:23 P.M., he contacts
two towers that are adjacent to each other in Rancho Cucamonga.
Then, from 2:32 P.M. to 3:54 P.M., he contacts two different
towers. Both are in the Rancho Cucamonga area. And after the
3:54 P.M. call, which was in the Rancho Cucamonga area, there's
no call activity until 9:17 P.M.
Q So, over five hours of no activity on the 5th?
A Correct.

 

[Edmo]

Ok, we need to put the 20 hours off thing to rest lol I went and checked the preliminary hearing testimony... this is what it says and this is all we have for now to go from.


Q Turning to Friday, February 5th, 2010, what were the
results of your analysis on the defendant's cell phone records
on that day?
A Well, at 7 A.M. is when he originates a phone call. It
appears that he's checking his voice mail. His phone was in the
general area of Upland, California, at that time.
The next activity is at 10:45 and 10:46, which is in the
general area of Santa Clarita. At 10:59 A.M. he has contact
with a cell tower in the general area of Interstate 210 near the
San Fernando area.
And then between 12:49 P.M. and 2:23 P.M., he contacts
two towers that are adjacent to each other in Rancho Cucamonga.
Then, from 2:32 P.M. to 3:54 P.M., he contacts two different
towers. Both are in the Rancho Cucamonga area. And after the
3:54 P.M. call, which was in the Rancho Cucamonga area, there's
no call activity until 9:17 P.M.
Q So, over five hours of no activity on the 5th?
A Correct.

See, I'm a sucker for reading blog sites, instead of actual facts. I'll try to stick to testimony from now on. Where in the world did they get his phone was off for 20 hours? lol

Five hours is enough time to drive to the gravesite, bury them and return home, IMO.

 

[missy1974]

This is exactly what I thought, when I first started investigating the family's disappearance--that JM never made it home that day, after the lunch meeting. Then Summer and the children were either abducted or killed in the home, by CM. As far as how CM got back, from the border, there are many, many options. Greyhound has a bus depot right there, within walking distance of where the Trooper was parked. There's SD Trolley (which he could've ridden to Amtrak or taken a city bus to the airport, then flown to Ontario which is 3.5mi from R.Cucamonga) and also a couple of buses that cater to Latino's, like TRES ESTRELLAS DE ORO, FRONTERAS DEL NORTE and INTERCALIFORNIAS, I'm fairly certain they have stops in Northern SD county, Riverside and L.A. Was 2/8/2010 President's Day? I've tried to look it up, but can't find it. That would mean less traffic that day. I find it very "interesting," how CM has stated numerous times, that he "was definitely the LAST person, to see JM." It's as though he is putting out a clue and mocking LE to try to come up with something. And IF JM was his "best friend," why wasn't there any sadness or wistfulness, during his LE or CNN interviews?
It will be very interesting to see what CJ has to say on the stand. Although, she's probably as much of a con artist as her sleazy ex-boyfriend.

YES it was a long weekend! Thanks for that reminder! Being that it was the last day of the long weekend, what would traffic be like? I guess there wouldn't be work rush hour traffic, but would there be 'people going home after a long weekend' traffic?

So, there were lots of options for him to get back to the Corona area or wherever he was, but could it all be done between 7:30 and 1:30 that day? Looking at the preliminary hearing info, they don't say where he was at 7:30am that morning.

 

[Plumeria5]

Ok, we need to put the 20 hours off thing to rest lol I went and checked the preliminary hearing testimony... this is what it says and this is all we have for now to go from.


Q Turning to Friday, February 5th, 2010, what were the
results of your analysis on the defendant's cell phone records
on that day?
A Well, at 7 A.M. is when he originates a phone call. It
appears that he's checking his voice mail. His phone was in the
general area of Upland, California, at that time.
The next activity is at 10:45 and 10:46, which is in the
general area of Santa Clarita. At 10:59 A.M. he has contact
with a cell tower in the general area of Interstate 210 near the
San Fernando area.
And then between 12:49 P.M. and 2:23 P.M., he contacts
two towers that are adjacent to each other in Rancho Cucamonga.
Then, from 2:32 P.M. to 3:54 P.M., he contacts two different
towers. Both are in the Rancho Cucamonga area. And after the
3:54 P.M. call, which was in the Rancho Cucamonga area, there's
no call activity until 9:17 P.M.
Q So, over five hours of no activity on the 5th?
A Correct.

Buried them the night of the 5th? Went back on the 6th?

 

[missy1974]

See, I'm a sucker for reading blog sites, instead of actual facts. I'll try to stick to testimony from now on. Where in the world did they get his phone was off for 20 hours? lol

Five hours is enough time to drive to the gravesite, bury them and return home, IMO.

I found it! LOL I was reading looking for the 7:30am on the 8th tower info (which is not there) but found this.. just remember that 'no activity' doesn't automatically mean it was off/in airplane mode/out of range.

Q From Saturday, February 6th at 3:14 P.M., until Sunday at
10:35 A.M., February 7th, is there any cell activity on the
defendant's cell phone, any tower activity, any activities?
A You said February 6th, from 3:14 P.M.?
Q Correct?
A That's his last call of the day on February 6th. His
first call of the day on February 7th is at 10:35 A.M.
Q So -- and there's no activity between that time period?
A No.
Q Almost 20 hours?
A I haven't done the math, but -- sure.