MAKAYLA SITTON - 6 yo - (2009) Jupiter FL

4 Killed During Thanksgiving Family Gathering in Florida, Manhunt Under Way for Suspect



Friday, November 27, 2009





A child in bed and three women, including one who was pregnant, were gunned down late Thursday during a family Thanksgiving gathering in South Florida.

Authorities were searching for a male relative in the shootings early Friday.

Jupiter Police said Friday that a 6-year-old girl, Makayla Sitton, was killed as she slept in her bed.

Lisa Knight, 33, who was expecting a baby, was among those shot to death — but police spokeswoman Sally Collins-Ortiz did not say how far along she was in her pregnancy. Her twin sister, Carla Merhige, and 76-year-old aunt Raymonde Joseph also were killed.

Authorities were searching for a relative suspected in their deaths, 35-year-old Paul Michael Merhige of Miami.

Jupiter Police Sgt. Scott Pascarella said Merhige left the house where 17 family members had gathered sometime after Thanksgiving dinner Thursday. He then allegedly returned with a handgun.

The shootings were reported about 10 p.m. Thursday in Jupiter, a small, posh beach town about 90 miles north of Miami that is best known as a home to celebrities including Michael Jordan and Burt Reynolds.

Paul Merhige is a cousin of the 6-year-old victim and has no criminal record, police said.

Authorities said a fifth victim, Merhige's brother-in-law Patrick Knight, was being treated at a hospital. His condition was not available. Another man, Clifford Gebara, 52, was grazed by a bullet and was treated by paramedics on the scene and released.

Police across South Florida and the U.S. Marshals Service were searching for Merhige. Pascarella said Merhige is believed to be driving a blue 2007 4-door Toyota Camry with Florida license plate W42 7JT.

Pascarella said police received a 911 call from a neighbor shortly after 10 p.m. Police then received a second 911 call from someone within the home.

Pascarella said the shootings took place inside the house. He said that sometime after Thanksgiving dinner, Merhige left the house and returned shortly afterward with a handgun.

"What led to this incident, we're not quite sure," said Pascarella. "It did not appear there was any altercation prior to this shooting."

Pascarella said there was an "ongoing resentment" in the family, but didn't know the nature of the problem or whether the victims were specifically targeted.

Police said the home was owned by Jim Sitton, a photojournalist for WPTV-TV and father of the little girl killed. Sitton told WPTV his daughter was in bed when she was shot. He was at the party at the time of the shooting but was not wounded.

Yellow crime scene tape was stretched around Sitton's salmon-colored house, located in a well-kept subdivision of stucco homes. Several cars were parked in the driveway, and a crime scene van sat in front.

Sitton told local media that his daughter was supposed to perform Friday in a holiday production of "The Nutcracker."

"God packed a lot of sweetness into that little body," Sitton said. "She's just our life. I don't know how we are ever going to recover."

The relationship between Sitton and Paul Merhige was unclear, police said.

Phone calls to a number listed for Paul Merhige were not answered. A phone call to Sitton was also not returned.

Neighbors in the Palm Beach County community were shocked.

"Our kids walk the streets by themselves," said 67-year-old Nicole Kemp, who did not know any of the victims. "I thought it was the safest place to live. I guess it doesn't matter, if there's a maniac here."

It's unclear where the adult victims lived. Carla Merhige was a real estate agent in Miami, said a co-worker.

"She was a wonderful agent," said Joanna Sherman, a manager at Coldwell Banker Residential real estate. "She was very active in the community and in charities. She was just a genuine, beautiful individual. She always had a smile for everybody."

Award money for information leading to the arrest of Paul Michael
Merhige, one of the country's most wanted fugitives, has been raised to
$100,000.

Merhige is accused of shooting and killing four relatives on Thanksgiving Day,

The victims' family has contributed $65,000 to entice the public to
help find the killer of Merhige's twin sisters, Carla Merhige and Lisa
Knight, both 33; his cousin, Makayla Sitton, 6; and his aunt Raymonde
Joseph, 76.

Merhige, 35, was last seen driving a 2007 royal blue, four-door Toyota
Camry with Florida license plate W42-7JT. The car has a rear spoiler.

Merhige is described as 5 foot 8 and about 200 pounds with dark hair. He occasionally wears eyeglasses.

Any information concerning Merhige's whereabouts can be reported to
Jupiter police at 561-746-6201 or Crime Stoppers at 800-458-8477.

The South Florida man accused of fatally shooting four relatives on
Thanksgiving night withdrew more than $12,000 from an account days
before the attack. Investigators are worried 35-year-old Paul
Merhige had the wherewithal to flee the country or hide away awhile.
The reward for information leading to his capture has been hiked to
$100,000. Billboards bearing his image have been erected in
South Florida, and the case will be featured Saturday on "America's
Most Wanted." Despite heavy publicity after Merhige allegedly killed
his twin sisters, aunt and cousin, authorities have found no sign of
him. The former Miami resident had no prior criminal history. Investigators
say Merhige planned carefully — taking clothing, cash and a computer
hard drive before heading to Jupiter, the small beach town where he
opened fire.

JUPITER — They got him.Over the
past month, Paul Michael Merhige, who is suspected of gunning down four
of his family members at a Thanksgiving dinner, had become the subject
of one of the nation's biggest manhunts.But by early Sunday, the fugitive was in the custody of Jupiter police being interrogated, according to authorities.Late
Saturday night, authorities said they received a tip and went to the
Edgewater Lodge at mile marker 65.5 in the Florida Keys.The
tipster called in to say a person strongly resembling Merhige, 35, had
checked into the motel on Dec. 2 under the name John Baca and provided
an address in Homestead, according to the Jupiter Police Department.Merhige was alone in a room on the second floor of the motel and did not try to evade police.He
was taken into custody at about 10 p.m. without incident, authorities
said, though a Taser was used to subdue him. He arrived at the Jupiter
Police Department headquarters at about 1:30 a.m.Merhige, who
had not been seen since the Nov. 26 massacre, was arrested in Long Key
after America's Most Wanted aired a segment about the case at 9 p.m.
Authorities credited the television program with leading to the tip.Palm
Beach County State Attorney Michael McAuliffe, speaking at a hastily
called news conference at the Jupiter Police Department, said Merhige
will be charged with four counts of first-degree murder, "and at least
one count of attempted first-degree murder."McAuliffe, leaving
the the Jupiter Police Department at 2:45 a.m. Sunday, declined to say
if authorities had finished questioning Merhige or whether the
suspected killer was represented by counsel. Merhige is accused
of slaying his cousin's daughter, Makayla Sitton, 6; her grandmother
Raymonde Joseph, 76; and his twin sisters, Lisa Knight and Carla
Merhige, 33."I'm elated that the monster is in the cage," Jim
Sitton, father of Makayla, said at Saturday night's news conference.
"We don't have to worry about him killing my wife or coming back for my
father-in-law."It doesn't bring my daughter back," he added, "but at least this chapter is over."Jupiter
police, along with the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI, had recently
intensified their search for Merhige — who had somehow been able to
evade capture. Most recently, authorities had concentrated their search
on Miami-Dade County and points south.They also had stepped up
efforts to bring the public into the manhunt with fliers, lighted
billboards, and even the release of video and audio."This was a
team effort," said Jupiter Police Chief Frank Kitzerow. "We were
confident we would make the apprehension and we have."Authorities
indicated that Merhige — who was said to have mental illness and taking
several medications — carefully planned the attack. For example, he had
purchased four guns days before the assault and had reclaimed his
passport from his parents, according to his mother. In addition, he had
taken $12,000 in cash out of the bank and bought a cover for his blue
Toyota Camry, possibly to conceal the car from law enforcement after
the attack.A Toyota, which Merhige had been seen driving, was found in the parking of Edgewater Lodge with a cover on.The killing of his family members — particularly Makayla — had shocked the quiet suburb of Jupiter.Merhige
had attended Thanksgiving dinner with family at the home of Jim and
Muriel Sitton. Relatives said he was calm throughout the meal. They
said they believed the attack was his way of punishing his family for
what his mother called "16 years of problems."His last victim that tragic night, authorities said, was Makayla. Her mother, Muriel, is Merhige's cousin.The
manhunt for Merhige quickly went nationwide, with a $100,000 reward
issued for his capture. The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI were among
the agencies searching for him.Earlier Saturday, volunteers
distributed fliers in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Miami-Dade
counties in hopes someone would recognize Merhige and report his
whereabouts to authorities.During Saturday's America's Most Wanted report, Jim and Muriel Sitton spoke of the attack and how they are coping.After Merhige's arrest, Jim Sitton said: "I'd be sleeping better if he was dead. This is not the best-case scenario."

TomTerrific0420 wrote:JUPITER — They got him.Over the
past month, Paul Michael Merhige, who is suspected of gunning down four
of his family members at a Thanksgiving dinner, had become the subject
of one of the nation's biggest manhunts.But by early Sunday, the fugitive was in the custody of Jupiter police being interrogated, according to authorities.Late
Saturday night, authorities said they received a tip and went to the
Edgewater Lodge at mile marker 65.5 in the Florida Keys.The
tipster called in to say a person strongly resembling Merhige, 35, had
checked into the motel on Dec. 2 under the name John Baca and provided
an address in Homestead, according to the Jupiter Police Department.Merhige was alone in a room on the second floor of the motel and did not try to evade police.He
was taken into custody at about 10 p.m. without incident, authorities
said, though a Taser was used to subdue him. He arrived at the Jupiter
Police Department headquarters at about 1:30 a.m.Merhige, who
had not been seen since the Nov. 26 massacre, was arrested in Long Key
after America's Most Wanted aired a segment about the case at 9 p.m.
Authorities credited the television program with leading to the tip.Palm
Beach County State Attorney Michael McAuliffe, speaking at a hastily
called news conference at the Jupiter Police Department, said Merhige
will be charged with four counts of first-degree murder, "and at least
one count of attempted first-degree murder."McAuliffe, leaving
the the Jupiter Police Department at 2:45 a.m. Sunday, declined to say
if authorities had finished questioning Merhige or whether the
suspected killer was represented by counsel. Merhige is accused
of slaying his cousin's daughter, Makayla Sitton, 6; her grandmother
Raymonde Joseph, 76; and his twin sisters, Lisa Knight and Carla
Merhige, 33."I'm elated that the monster is in the cage," Jim
Sitton, father of Makayla, said at Saturday night's news conference.
"We don't have to worry about him killing my wife or coming back for my
father-in-law."It doesn't bring my daughter back," he added, "but at least this chapter is over."Jupiter
police, along with the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI, had recently
intensified their search for Merhige — who had somehow been able to
evade capture. Most recently, authorities had concentrated their search
on Miami-Dade County and points south.They also had stepped up
efforts to bring the public into the manhunt with fliers, lighted
billboards, and even the release of video and audio."This was a
team effort," said Jupiter Police Chief Frank Kitzerow. "We were
confident we would make the apprehension and we have."Authorities
indicated that Merhige — who was said to have mental illness and taking
several medications — carefully planned the attack. For example, he had
purchased four guns days before the assault and had reclaimed his
passport from his parents, according to his mother. In addition, he had
taken $12,000 in cash out of the bank and bought a cover for his blue
Toyota Camry, possibly to conceal the car from law enforcement after
the attack.A Toyota, which Merhige had been seen driving, was found in the parking of Edgewater Lodge with a cover on.The killing of his family members — particularly Makayla — had shocked the quiet suburb of Jupiter.Merhige
had attended Thanksgiving dinner with family at the home of Jim and
Muriel Sitton. Relatives said he was calm throughout the meal. They
said they believed the attack was his way of punishing his family for
what his mother called "16 years of problems."His last victim that tragic night, authorities said, was Makayla. Her mother, Muriel, is Merhige's cousin.The
manhunt for Merhige quickly went nationwide, with a $100,000 reward
issued for his capture. The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI were among
the agencies searching for him.Earlier Saturday, volunteers
distributed fliers in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Miami-Dade
counties in hopes someone would recognize Merhige and report his
whereabouts to authorities.During Saturday's America's Most Wanted report, Jim and Muriel Sitton spoke of the attack and how they are coping.After Merhige's arrest, Jim Sitton said: "I'd be sleeping better if he was dead. This is not the best-case scenario."

Im happy there are people out there who pay attention to the news. If not this man would still be on the run. Thank God they got him. Justice is the "word" for 2010.....

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Prosecutors
say they will seek the death penalty for a man accused of shooting four
relatives to death at a Thanksgiving gathering in South Florida.
State Attorney Michael McAuliffe also announced Thursday that a grand jury
had returned an indictment officially charging Paul Merhige with four
counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Merhige is accused of shooting his twin sisters, a 79-year-old aunt and
6-year-old cousin after a Thanksgiving family dinner. He then fled,
prompting a monthlong manhunt.
Merhige was arrested at a motel in the Florida Keys on Jan. 2. He remains held
without bond at the Palm Beach County jail and is set for arraignment
Monday.

The owners of the Edgewater Lodge in the Keys have received the $100,000
reward for providing the tip that led to the capture of a fugitive wanted in the
killing of four family members on Thanksgiving Day in Palm Beach County.
Paul Michael Merhige, 35, had been on the run for 38 days until Paul Pfaff
recognized him on America's Most Wanted as a guest at their motel and
Melinda Pfaff called the program's hot line minutes later.
``There is nothing to celebrate; we're not going to take a big trip,''
Melinda Pfaff said. ``He killed people in his family and put my family's life in
danger.''
The couple have no specific plans on how to spend the money, but Melinda
Pfaff said it's likely they will save it.
``The only reason I want to talk about it is to let people know that rewards
are paid and not to be hesitant to call in something,'' she said.
Merhige had been staying for a month at the small waterfront motel on an
isolated stretch of U.S. 1 in the Middle Keys north of Marathon. He rarely left
his room, except to do laundry. ``I'm sure he picked this place because it's
small and we don't even have a newspaper box,'' Melinda Pfaff said.
But on Jan. 2, Paul Pfaff was watching football when he saw a preview of the
upcoming episode of America's Most Wanted. Pfaff said he recognized the
man in the video as the guest who had registered as Paul Baca, and kept his
Toyota Camry covered with a tarp.
Merhige had been staying for a month in Room 14, a $69-a-night efficiency
next to the room where the Pfaffs' 21-year-old daughter lived.
Melinda Pfaff went on the Internet to look up Merhige's picture and agreed
that Baca was the same guy.
She called the hot line while Paul Pfaff yelled in the background: ``Come get
him now.''
Before making the call, the Pfaffs evacuated everyone staying in rooms in the
main building.
Melinda Pfaff said U.S. Marshal Thaddeus Lee arrived and coordinated the
massive effort to arrest Merhige, 35, who was wanted on four counts of
first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Merhige is accused of shooting his twin sisters, a 79-year-old aunt, and a
6-year-old cousin after Thanksgiving dinner in Jupiter.
It was Lee who on Tuesday delivered a check for $25,000 from the U.S.
Marshals Service. Pfaff said the other $75,000 came a few days earlier in the
mail: A check for $75,000 from the Jupiter Police Department.
Pfaff said Lee had fingerprinted her and kept her informed about the status
of the reward.
She still is waiting to receive about $1,000 for the damage caused when
law-enforcement officers smashed the sliding glass door to Merhige's room before
arresting him. He was caught off guard while using his computer.
In the room was a noose and three tanks of helium hooked up to a plastic bag,
items that indicated he might have contemplated suicide.
Merhige was arrested just before 11 p.m. Police thought he might have been
armed with a high-powered rifle, but no weapons were found. A search of the
surrounding water a few days later came up empty.
Melinda Pfaff said she was very sad about the loss of lives.
``We just want to move on and not talk about it anymore,'' she said.

Still No Trial Date For Thanksgiving Massacre Suspect

Man Accused Of Shooting 4 Relatives After 2009 Thanksgiving Dinner

POSTED: 3:07 pm EDT November 2, 2010
UPDATED: 6:11 pm EDT November 2, 2010



WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A trial still has not been set for the suspect in a 2009 Thanksgiving massacre in Jupiter.

Paul Michael Merhige was in court Tuesday for a status hearing to set a trial date, but that decision will now be postponed until January because a new judge has been assigned.

Prosecutors want the trial to begin next year, but Merhige's lawyers want to delay the trial until 2012.
Merhige is accused of killing four relatives, including a 6-year-old girl, after a Thanksgiving dinner in Jupiter.

Police said Merhige shot and killed his aunt, his 6-year-old cousin, Makayla Sitton, and twin sisters, one of whom was pregnant.

Merhige was apprehended in January at a Florida Keys motel after he was profiled on "America's Most Wanted."

If convicted, he could receive the death penalty.

http://www.wpbf.com/news/25608354/detail.html

Trial Date Set For Thanksgiving Massacre Suspect

Man Accused Of Killing 4 Relatives After Thanksgiving Dinner In 2009

POSTED: 6:38 am EST January 18, 2011
UPDATED: 4:53 pm EST January 18, 2011


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The man accused of killing four of his family members on Thanksgiving Day in 2009 will go to trial in August.

A judge Tuesday set an Aug. 8 trial date for Paul Michael Merhige.

Merhige is accused of killing his twin sisters, Carla Merhige and Lisa Knight, his 76-year-old aunt, Raymonde Joseph, and 6-year-old Makayla Sitton after a family dinner in Jupiter.

He was apprehended in January 2010 at a Florida Keys motel after he was profiled on "America's Most Wanted."

The trial date is a compromise of sorts. Prosecutors sought a May start date, but defense attorneys wanted more time to prepare.

Family members of the victims -- including Jim and Muriel Sitton, whose daughter was killed -- were in the courtroom when the trial date was set.

The trial is expected to last five weeks. If convicted, he could receive the death penalty.

http://www.wpbf.com/news/26525064/detail.html

Merhige murder trial pushed back
Posted: 06/16/2011
The trial date for the case against Paul Michael Merhige has been pushed back from August 8 to January 17.

Merhige is accused of killing four family members in Jupiter on Thanksgiving Day in 2009.

He waived his right to be in the courtroom Thursday, but his lawyer was there, asking the judge to push back the trial date.

Defense Attorney Dan Eisenger has made it clear to the court he will be taking 'maternity leave' when his wife has a baby, which will affect his ability to prepare for the case.

Prosecutors said in court Thursday they were ready for an August jury trial.

They also say they haven't received any sort of witness list from the defense.

The state appeared frustrated about the postponement. The judge even said he noticed both sides were being "chippy."

The victims' family has been eager for the trial to start.

The judge set aside five weeks.
http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/paul-merhige-trial-moved-

Thanksgiving night killer Paul Michael Merhige transported out of Palm Beach County

Posted: 11/08/2011

Thanksgiving night killer Paul Michael Merhige has been transported out of Palm Beach County.

Merhige is now being held in Miami at the South Florida Reception Center and will remain there for the next few weeks.

The center is the first stop for state prisoners. There, he will undergo extensive health and psychological examinations to determine which prison he will eventually be transported to.

Earlier this month, Merhige plead guilty to shooting and killing four family members on Thanksgiving night in 2009. One of his victims was a 6-year-old girl sleeping in her bed.

In exchange for the plea, Merhige will spend the rest of his life behind bars.


Read more: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/thanksgiving-night-killer-paul-michael-merhige-transported-out-of-palm-beach-county#ixzz1jovPRYbc