Jailhouse visits with Merritt were recorded, Merritt's sister testifies

Day 26 of the murder trial of Charles "Chase" Ray Merritt, Feb. 27, for the deaths of the McStay family of Fallbrook saw discussions regarding conversations recorded during visitations to San Bernardino County Jail between Merritt and his family and friends.

They said Merritt had stopped using the monitored phone in the visitation area, talking instead through the glass, and jail personnel began using a digital recorder to record the visits.

Merritt's defense team tried to have the recordings excluded in a motion, claiming the state violated a rule requiring the state to turn over all statemen...