Man held for trial in sledgehammer killings of California family
Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Reuters) - A California judge ruled on Monday that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for an ex-convict to face trial in the 2010 sledgehammer killings of a family of four whose remains were found more than two years later buried in the desert.
The decision capped a daylong preliminary hearing in the case against Charles "Chase" Merritt, 58, described by authorities as a former business associate of the slain father, Joseph McStay.
Merritt has pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder in the killings.
San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Michael Smith said that evidence outlined by investigators in the proceedings, including cell phone records and DNA analysis, had established probable cause for prosecutors to proceed to trial.
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/man-held-trial-sledgehammer-killings-california-family-003020727.html
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