OFFICE OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY JASON ANDERSON
San Bernardino County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2019
CHARLES RAY MERRITT CONVICTED OF MCSTAY FAMILY SLAYING
 

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - After 85 days of trial and 6 days of deliberation, a jury has found Charles Ray Merritt guilty of four counts of First-Degree Murder and have found the special circumstances allegation to be true. Merritt was charged and convicted of the murders of Joseph McStay (age 40), his wife Summer (age 43) and their two sons Gianni (age 4) and Joseph Jr. (age 3).

 

The family went missing on February 4, 2010. Their remains were found in shallow graves in Victorville, California on November 11, 2013. Merritt was arrested on November 7, 2014 and the trial in this matter began on January 7, 2019.

 

As a result of the guilty verdict, litigation will continue into the penalty phase; therefore, we will have no additional comments at this time.

Contact: Tera Sorensen, Executive Secretary by phone at (909) 382-3660 or by email at tsorensen@sbcda.org
 
www.sbcountyda.org