CA - Joey, Summer, Gianni, Joseph Jr McStay Murders - Feb 4th 2010 #5

[Force Ten]

Do we know this for sure?

In the video a car drives down the street with headlights on.The Trooper is not illuminated as it should be if parked out front.

 

[katydid23]

But that doesn't mean everyone would say/do what you would say/do. Not all innocent people are alike. Not all criminals are alike.

Of course they aren't.

But that was such an odd thing to say to the detectives. Why would Chase think he was the last person to see Joey, if they had just met for lunch, and that was all?

 

[HelenK]

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

I am very familiar with that article. I daresay we all are. Merritt extoles Joseph to the sky, while thoroughly trashing Summer. Goes on and on about the purportedly "close" personal relationship he had with Joey. Makes sure he throws in what he was told was the inconclusive lie detector test that he took voluntarily. Says he just wants to find the culprits "who did this." Not once does he categorically state, "I am innocent of any wrongdoing."

‘Nine out of ten people on this planet have got some kind of criminal background." What?? Maybe in the circles you run with, Mr. Merritt. "I got into trouble once or twice when I was a kid." What?

Charles Merritt is a con man extraordinaire.

 

[citygirl]

In the video a car drives down the street with headlights on.The Trooper is not illuminated as it should be if parked out front.

Thanks. But is it clear it wasn't parked in the driveway?

 

[HelenK]

IIRC, I think Joey mentioned redoing the dining room and either taking down or opening a wall in one of his avo home videos. It was so long ago I’m not 100% certain.

I remember this also.

 

[Force Ten]

Then they should also consider the demeanor of each testifying witness.

Right. Why wouldn't they? Jurors are to absorb testimony with the presumption of innocence. A witness' speech, emotions and gestures should go along with their confidence in testimony. It validates their credibility, no matter which side they testifying for.

 

[citygirl]

I am very familiar with that article. I daresay we all are. Merritt extoles Joseph to the sky, while thoroughly trashing Summer. Goes on and on about the purportedly "close" personal relationship he had with Joey. Makes sure he throws in what he was told was the inconclusive lie detector test that he took voluntarily. Says he just wants to find the culprits "who did this." Not once does he categorically state, "I am innocent of any wrongdoing."

‘Nine out of ten people on this planet have got some kind of criminal background." What?? Maybe in the circles you run with, Mr. Merritt. "I got into trouble once or twice when I was a kid." What?

Charles Merritt is a con man extraordinaire.

My take was that he is a gossipy, old woman.

 

[Force Ten]

Thanks. But is it clear it wasn't parked in the driveway?

No but McGyver did testify Joseph parked on the street to allow Summer easier access for the kids.

 

[Edmo]

Of course they aren't.

But that was such an odd thing to say to the detectives. Why would Chase think he was the last person to see Joey, if they had just met for lunch, and that was all?

Someone posted an interview link earlier, sorry can't remember who now? In it, CM was asked if JM played soccer after the 4th and CM immediately stated he did NOT have any contact with JM after the 4th. He didn't pause to think about it, before blurting out he hadn't had any contact with JM after the 4th. Knowing now that he is the suspect, his immediate answer rings alarm bells to me, IMO.

 

[citygirl]

No but McGyver did testify Joseph parked on the street to allow Summer easier access for the kids.

Thanks. But this is my new thing. Is it possible the trooper didn't leave until Feb.8 th? Do we know for sure it was gone?

 

[Edmo]

Thanks. But this is my new thing. Is it possible the trooper didn't leave until Feb.8 th? Do we know for sure it was gone?

There are 2 separate tire tracks at the gravesite. I'm so curious if he took the Trooper on one trip and then his truck on the next, or vice-versa? I HOPE the prosecution will be able to answer the tire tracks for us.

Also, if the family is originally "missing," you wouldn't want both vehicles at the home. Otherwise, if they are missing and the cars are at home, SOMETHING is very wrong, IMO.

 

[Force Ten]

Agreed. I assume his cash flow problems were the result of being a gambler - horrible addiction - an alcoholic will eventually fall down but a gambler will keep going until they lose everything. And I’m thinking the reason he said his business was finished was so that he could lay foundations to provide another reason of why he couldn’t have possibly murdered the family. All that interview indicated to me is what a brazen liar Merritt is.

Essentially he did lose everything. In 2007, Merritt found a money train and milked it almost dry for 3 years. Then, even after the murders, he couldn't get enough blood money to suffice his addiction. Even going to the length mooching off the victim's mother. The man has no shame.

 

[Force Ten]

Thanks. But this is my new thing. Is it possible the trooper didn't leave until Feb.8 th? Do we know for sure it was gone?

Nope. That's probably the biggest mystery of all, where it was between 4th-8th.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Seriously? Was his business not up to snuff before joining Joseph? Joseph became his lifeline? An older man who has been in business all those years? What real man would even admit this? An older man with 3 children to support?

Exactly. There are welders that aren't certified, and then certified welders, which I believe he got his certification in the early 80s.

Certified welders with long work experience can make huge amounts of money each year.

Something is just off by what he said.

It's like even after he murdered the poor man he is still blaming Joey, instead of facing he is either flat out lazy or no one else would hire him. If either was the case then he really has no one to blame but himself.

Who's fault is it that Joey can't provide him a comfortable living anymore? It sure wasn't Joey's fault.

Imo

 

[Tortoise]

In the video a car drives down the street with headlights on.The Trooper is not illuminated as it should be if parked out front.

I'm not sure we got a view of the other side of the street. The camera range only extended out to about the middle of the street so if a parked vehicle across the street was illuminated we wouldn't see it. I'm more inclined to think a vehicle was parked on the McStay side, forcing the vehicles that should have been driving on that side of the street to use the middle or wrong side of the road to avoid it.

See points 32.55 (side camera) and 36.33 (porch camera) Mitchley video to give an idea of camera ranges in daylight, then 39.00 to see how the vehicle passing Mitchley house at night before the truck pulls out of McStay driveway is driving much closer to Mitchley's side of the street because both headlamps are reflected in the road. Screenshots below - click to enlarge.

 

[Edmo]

Nope. That's probably the biggest mystery of all, where it was between 4th-8th.

This is off-topic:

The US wants cars to have "Event data recorders," aka "Black boxes," like airplanes use installed in cars for traffic collision/safety systems data during an accident. Some vehicles have "EDR's" installed since 2011. I can't remember which year this is supposed to go into effect for all vehicles? The EDR will even work with the car battery removed, for a specific amount of time IIRC? They will record
location/speed/impact/braking/seat belts/ air bag deployment etc., due to "modern" technology. IIRC, if you have a "navigation" system installed, you also have the "EDR."

I KNOW some states have fought back (privacy rights) against this law.

The EDR was made for LE, to use in collision reconstruction, IIRC. I also remember about the Insurance Companies "Lobbying" for EDR's.

I don't know where they are in actually implementing this "law" today?

IF the Trooper had an EDR, we wouldn't even be discussing "where" it might have been, in this case. I can also see where the Govt can use it to "track" our whereabouts as well.

If you DON'T believe me, search for vehicles with "black boxes" installed.

If this post doesn't meet TOS, please delete.

 

[Tortoise]

I've also done a street map showing Mitchley house with blue star, McStay house with yellow star and a yellow blob where the Trooper may have been parked.

 

[fridaybaker]

Ok wait... he had recent surgery? How recent? Does anyone know? Was it in January 2010? Is this when his work was "lacking"? I mean... you don't walk out of a hospital after having stents put in and start lifting and making water fountains, do you?

I'm not making excuses for him... but I would like to know how recent "recent" is LOL If the video footage was a few months prior... was this before or after the stents? relatively healthy condition and then requiring stents... Ugggh I don't know how I feel about this lol I would like to know dates of surgery, etc. Was this condition known when he climbed the mountain?

Missy, those are excellent questions! I would love to know more about the stents. Have his medical records been subpoenaed?

One thing that I think we do know about Chase is that he was all-around a very physically strong guy. He spent a lot of time doing very physical things, and I have the impression that both before and after the disappearance he was so. (The mention of his "incredible strength" or something to that effect, etc.)

Here is another question: I wonder, in the case of a very physically strong and active person -even if that person went in for the "stent" surgery -would it necessarily mean he would be incapable of wielding a 3 lb. sledge hammer? Anyone here have any opinions on that?

 

[Edmo]

Missy, those are excellent questions! I would love to know more about the stents. Have his medical records been subpoenaed?

One thing that I think we do know about Chase is that he was all-around a very physically strong guy. He spent a lot of time doing very physical things, and I have the impression that both before and after the disappearance he was so. (The mention of his "incredible strength" or something to that effect, etc.)

Here is another question: I wonder, in the case of a very physically strong and active person -even if that person went in for the "stent" surgery -would it necessarily mean he would be incapable of wielding a 3 lb. sledge hammer? Anyone here have any opinions on that?

One, I have NO idea about CM's health, other than he claimed to have heart problems.

However, I haven't seen, but read that CM is ON video jumping the MS fence and running up a steep hill. Then there are actual pictures of him "gold mining" in the desert, digging a hole that appears to be 3-4 feet deep, don't know WHEN that was taken tho?

 

[Force Ten]

One, I have NO idea about CM's health, other than he claimed to have heart problems.

However, I haven't seen, but read that CM is ON video jumping the MS fence and running up a steep hill. Then there are actual pictures of him "gold mining" in the desert, digging a hole that appears to be 3-4 feet deep, don't know WHEN that was taken tho?

It was taken a month or 2 before his arrest.