Judge allows state's request to admit evidence from Merritt's phone

Superior Court Judge Michael A. Smith ruled Thursday, Feb. 14, that the prosecution could admit into evidence items found on Charles “Chase” Ray Merritt’s phone.

Chase Merritt, 61, of Homeland, is accused of murdering Joseph and Summer McStay as well as the couple’s two young sons in Fallbrook in 2010 and burying their bodies in a San Bernardino desert.

The McStay family, who lived in the Lake Rancho Viejo housing development east of Interstate 15, was last seen alive Feb. 4, 2010. Relatives reported them missing a few days later.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and FBI handled the i...