Man Gets Trial Date For Murders Of Business Partner, Family

SAN BERNARDINO (AP) — A Southern California man has been given an August trial date on charges of murdering his business partner, partner's wife and two young sons whose remains were found in shallow desert graves.

Online court records show Charles "Chase" Merritt pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Superior Court in San Bernardino.

He is scheduled to stand trial Aug 10. in the murders of Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer, 4-year-old Gianni and 3-year-old Joseph Jr.

The Sun reports that prosecutors will decide whether to seek the death penalty by July 10.

Most search warrants served in the case will be unsealed July 1.

The McStays disappeared in February 2010. The family's remains were found about 100 miles away from their San Diego County home in 2013. Merritt was arrested last year.

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