Paul Michael Merhige case background

JUPITER, Fla. - A look at the events that have happened since the night of the shootings until documents in case are released.

November 26, 2009 - Paul Michael Merhige reportedly shoots several of his family members at Thanksgiving dinner in Jupiter. Victims include: his 6-year-old cousin, Makayla Joy Sitton, twin sisters Carla Merhige and a pregnant Lisa Knight, 33, and aunt Raymonde Joseph, 76.

December 2, 2009 - Merhige allegedly checks into Edgewater Lodge, a motel in the Florida Keys. The accused Thanksgiving Day shooter reportedly checked into hotel under the name John Baca.

December 5, 2009, December 12, 2009 and December 16, 2009 - Case is featured on America's Most Wanted.

December 5, 2009 - Funeral for Makayla Sitton and her grandmother, Raymonde Joseph.

December 6, 2009 - Makayla Sitton would have turned 7 years old

January 2, 2010:

9:00 p.m.:  America's Most Wanted that leads to tip and capture. AMW airs a spot pointing out Merhige as a fugitive. Shortly after it aired, the owners of the Edgewater Lodge call authorities to report that the man staying at their hotel resembles Merhige.

10:00 p.m .:  U.S. Marshals arrive at Edgewater Lodge to find Merhige alone in his room on the second floor and on his laptop. Authorities then take Merhige into custody.

January 3, 2010 -  Around 1:30 a.m., nearly six weeks after the shootings at Jim and Muriel Sitton's Jupiter home, 35-year-old Paul Michael Merhige is back in Jupiter where he is interrogated by police.

January 4, 2010 - Merhige spends first full night behind bars at the Palm Beach County Jail. Kept in isolation in mental health unit.

February 1, 2010 - Merhige scheduled to make next court appearance.

February 5, 2010 - Merhige makes unexpected court appearance.

March 5, 2010 - Couple who recognized accused shooter as a guest at their hotel in the Florida Keys has been given a $100,000 reward for tipping off investigators.

May 7, 2010 - Jupiter police honored for work in capturing Merhige.

 

April 6, 2010 - Attorney for Merhige appears in court asking that evidence is withheld from the public.

August 26, 2010 - A judge denies motions to keep documents sealed.

September 3, 2010 - Court documents including witness interviews, police reports and information from the suspect's laptop computer are released.