Death Penalty for Thanksgiving Dinner Massacre
Paul Michael Merhige is charged with four counts of first-degree murder
By TODD WRIGHT
Updated 4:30 PM EST, Thu, Jan 28, 2010
Paul Michael Merhige will be sentenced to death if he is convicted of killing his twin sisters and two other relatives after Thanksgiving dinner, prosecutors announced on Thursday.
Merhige, 35, was captured in the Keys after nearly two months on the run and a massive nationwide manhunt. He was formally charged with four counts of first degree murder and three counts of attempted first degree murder.
Authorities allege the Miami native attended a family dinner in Jupiter and without warning opened fire on the family members in attendance. He shot and killed his sisters Carla Merhige and Lisa Merhige Knight, his 76-year-old aunt and a 6-year old cousin.
Merhige had a history of mental illness and ill-will toward his family, relatives said after the shooting. Witnesses at the dinner said before he walked out Merhige said, "I have been waiting 20 years to do this."
A reenactment on "America's Most Wanted" and a tip from a Key West hotel manager led to his arrest on Jan 3.
First Published: Jan 28, 2010 4:11 PM EST
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