McStay murder suspect appears in court as own lawyer

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The accused killer of a family of four who disappeared in 2010 and whose remains were found in 2013 in the California desert, appeared in court for the first time Thursday acting as his own lawyer.

During the hearing, 57-year-old Chase Merritt complained to San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Michael Smith that the jail library is inadequate and "pretty much useless," reports U-T San Diego. Merritt also asked for files to be seized from his own computer in order to prepare for his trial. According to the paper, Smith told Merritt he would need to file a motion in order for that request to be considered.

The paper reports Merritt also complained Thursday that he has not received any of the 9,500 pages of discovery compiled in the case.

Last month, Merritt told the court he wanted to act as his own lawyer with the hope that it would move the case along quicker since he said said he believes he only has six to eight months to live after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

Judge Smith has expressed that he felt Merritt was making a poor decision in choosing to represent himself, but obliged as long as Merritt produce a note from a doctor saying he was fit to do so.

Earlier this week, the court appointed Merritt an investigator to help him.

Merritt is accused in the killings of his former business associate, Joseph McStay, 40; Joseph's wife, Summer, 43; and the couple's two sons, Gianni, 4; and Joey, 3. The Fallbrook, Calif. family was last seen alive on February 4, 2010 and was reported missing 11 days later.

When police first responded to the home to conduct a welfare check, they found no signs of forced entry and it appeared the family had left the house in a rush. Their dogs were in the backyard, two bowls of popcorn were on a couch in the living room and a carton of raw eggs and a bag of microwave popcorn were found on the kitchen counter.

In an upstairs bedroom, authorities said they found a lamp lying on the floor, and in the master bedroom closet there were several suitcases open with folded clothing inside and a large quantity of clothing tossed on the floor.

The family's Isuzu Trooper was eventually found abandoned near the Mexico border and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said it was convinced people seen on dimly lit surveillance video walking into Tijuana, Mexico were the McStays.

The case was investigated by the San Diego Sheriff's Department as a missing-persons case for more than three years until the family's remains were found in November 2013 in shallow graves in the Mojave Desert, about 100 miles north of where the family lived.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department then became the lead investigative agency on the case and in November 2014, Merritt was arrested and charged with four counts of murder.

In announcing the arrest, authorities said they believe the McStays were bludgeoned to death in their home on February 4, 2010. They have not commented on a motive. Merritt has pleaded not guilty.

Merritt's next court date is scheduled for March 16.