On November 26, 2009, a man killed four members of his family in Jupiter, Florida.[1][2][3]
Shooting
editPaul Michael Merhige waited three hours before opening fire at his family's Thanksgiving Day dinner, shooting multiple family members.[4][5] His aunt, Raymonde Joseph, his twin sisters, Carla Merhige and Lisa Knight, as well as his 6-year-old cousin, Makayla, were killed in the shooting. Lisa Knight was pregnant at the time of the shooting.[6][7] Her husband, Patrick Knight, was severely injured and spent three months in a coma.[8]
Background
editThe family had a troubled past. In 1973, Paul Merhige's aunt, Salwa Merrige-Abrams, murdered her ex-husband and two children before committing suicide by taking barbiturates.[9]
Aftermath
editA manhunt for Merhige followed, with a $25,000 reward offered for information leading to his arrest.[10]
On January 2, 2010, Merhige was arrested.[11][12] On October 27, 2011, Paul Merhige pleaded guilty to all charges, and was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences without parole.[13][14]
The same year, on September 15, Jim and Muriel Sitton sued Paul's parents, with their reasoning being that they could have prevented the murders.[15][16] In 2014, 4th District Court of Appeal ruled that Merhige's parents could not be held liable for the massacre.[17][18]
References
edit- ^ "A Thanksgiving Massacre In 2009 Highlights Today's True Mass Shooting Crisis". Yahoo News. 2023-11-22. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Two Years After The Jupiter Thanksgiving Massacre". CBS Miami. November 24, 2011.
- ^ "History Of Mass Shootings In South Florida". CBS Miami. March 31, 2012.
- ^ Martinez, Edecio (2009-12-02). "Thanksgiving Massacre Witness: Paul Merhige Ate Dinner, Sang Songs Then Executed Family - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Victim's dad: Thanksgiving killings preplanned". NBC News. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Abramson, Andrew. "Treasured memories sustain 6-year-old's father as he returns to crime scene". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Massacre Takes "Sweet" Makayla". www.cbsnews.com. 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Marra, Andrew. "Victim of Thanksgiving Day shooting out of coma, relative says". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Campbell • •, Janie (2009-11-28). "A History of Violence". NBC 6 South Florida. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Suspect in Jupiter Thanksgiving killings still at large". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Suspect nabbed in Thanksgiving slayings". NBC News. 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Thanksgiving Day murder suspect Paul Merhige busted in Florida by 'America's Most Wanted' tip". New York Daily News. 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "GUILTY PLEA BRINGS 7 LIFE SENTENCES". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "7 Life Sentences For Merhige In Thanksgiving Massacre Case - CBS Miami". www.cbsnews.com. 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Musgrave, Jane. "Lawsuit: Merhige's parents did nothing to stop Thanksgiving slayings". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Lawsuit Filed In Deadly Thanksgiving Rampage - CBS Miami". www.cbsnews.com. 2011-09-15. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Staff Writer. "Parents Not Found Negligent In Palm Beach County Massacre". The Ledger. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Court: Parents Not Negligent In Thanksgiving Massacre - CBS Miami". www.cbsnews.com. 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2024-03-27.