The man accused of murdering the McStay family of Fallbrook complained to the judge Thursday that he's not receiving the documents needed for his defense, according to social media posts from a reporter in the courtroom.
Charles Merritt, a former business partner of Joseph McStay, is accused of killing McStay along with Sunny McStay and the couple’s two boys in 2010.
On Thursday, Merritt served as his own attorney for the first time and asked for prosecution discovery documents and files on a computer that was seized by investigators, according to reporter Teri Figueroa.
Figueroa posted updates to Twitter as part of her coverage for U-T San Diego.
Merritt has said he wanted to represent himself because he only has six to eight months to live due to congestive heart failure and could not afford his own attorney.
The judge offered a court-appointed attorney at no cost, but Merritt declined.
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For months after the Fallbrook family was reported missing, volunteers searched, cable shows highlighted their story and an investigation was launched by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
It wasn’t until November 2013, that four bodies were uncovered in Victorville.
Another court hearing is scheduled in March with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 7.
