Hunt continues for disbarred attorney accused of murder

The multi-state manhunt for former Smyrna attorney Richard Merritt continues while family members are in hiding from the suspected killer.

Merritt pleaded guilty last month to theft, forgery and elder-exploitation charges, admitting to settling clients’ lawsuits without telling them and keeping their checks for himself.

Cobb Superior Court Judge Robert Flournoy III sentenced Merritt to 30 years with 15 to serve in prison and the rest on probation, and ordered to pay $454,706 in restitution.

Flournoy also gave Merritt two weeks to get his affairs in order before reporting to prison, but investigators believe he instead stabbed his mother to death, removed his tracking ankle monitor and fled in his mother’s car. 77-year-old Shirley Merritt was found dead in her Stone Mountain home Feb. 2.

Merritt’s ex-wife, Jenine Merritt, told FOX 5’s senior reporter Dale Russell she is staying in an undisclosed location while her ex-husband is on the loose.

“He’s a deceitful, immoral person, but I never thought he would kill someone,” she said. “The kids and I are scared, and now that we know what he’s capable of, we are afraid that he’s going to turn up.”

Jenine Merritt told Russell her now-ex had called her the night before he was to begin his prison sentence and told her he refused to let anybody else have her.

Jenine Merritt told the TV station her former husband has connections with the Florida panhandle, New Orleans and New York. She said he loves fishing and Irish pubs and that she doubts he’ll be able to keep in hiding for long.

“I think he’s such a narcissist and he has to have an audience. I don’t think he can keep to himself forever. I think he’s going to start going out in public and chit-chatting with people and getting cocky,” she said.

Richard Merritt was last seen driving a silver 2009 Lexus RX350 with Georgia tag CBV 6004. Authorities believe he may have shaved his head or otherwise changed his appearance.

Jenine Merritt said he can grow back his fine, sandy brown hair in a month or so, and grow a goatee in two weeks, though he can’t grow a beard.

The U.S. Marshals said Merritt should be considered armed and dangerous, and his brother Robert Merritt agrees.

“I would be wary if I saw him, just to give him a wide berth,” he told FOX 5. “Just call 911.”

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Hunt continues for disbarred attorney accused of murder 

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Ex-wife of fugitive former attorney speaks as manhunt continues

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Ex-wife of fugitive former attorney speaks as manhunt continues

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (WGCL) - The ex-wife of a fugitive former attorney suspected of killing his mother says she and her children are terrified he'll show up.

On the day he was supposed to begin serving a prison sentence for fraud, police say disbarred Georgia attorney Richard Merritt killed his own mother.

A nationwide manhunt has been underway ever since.

Merritt’s ex-wife and children are in protective custody.

"We are scared, we've been hiding, we have protection from the US Marshals office,” Dr. Merritt said.

She says her ex led a double life, was a verbally abusive drunk and allegedly snapped on Feb. 2, when he allegedly killed his own mother.

That was the same day he was set to turn himself over to authorities for a 15-year prison sentence for defrauding clients.

"I think he was drunk and I think he told her he wasn't going,” Dr. Merritt said.

She says she believes others are helping Merritt evade capture. Dr. Merritt added that she's fearful of how a confrontation with police will end.

"I think suicide is a possibility,” she said. “He destroyed us with what he did."

The US Marshals service is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to Merritt's capture.

Full Article & Source:
Ex-wife of fugitive former attorney speaks as manhunt continues

See Also:
Disbarred Georgia attorney Richard Merritt on the run after allegedly killing his mother

Disbarred Cobb attorney gets prison for defrauding clients 
 
Disbarred Lawyer Jailed on Theft, Elder Abuse Charges
 

Disbarred Georgia attorney Richard Merritt on the run after allegedly killing his mother

A nationwide manhunt is underway for a disbarred Georgia attorney accused of killing his mother.

Richard Merritt had been sentenced to 15 years in prison and 15 years on probation after being convicted of stealing money from his clients and elder abuse. The court found him guilty on more than 30 counts of theft, forgery and elder exploitation.

He was given until 5 p.m. on February 1 to get his affairs in order before turning himself in.

Instead, the US Marshal Service says he cut off his ankle monitor and fled.

The day after Merritt was supposed to surrender, his mother, Shirley Merritt, was found violently killed. Her car was missing, while Merritt's vehicle was found at the scene, the US Marshal Service said in a statement.

"The vehicle he may be driving is a 2009 silver Lexus RX350, bearing a Georgia tag CBV 6004," the US Marshal Service's statement reads. "He may have shaved his head or otherwise changed his appearance, and should be considered armed and dangerous. Do not try to engage him. If you see Merritt, please contact law enforcement immediately."

Merritt had admitted to settling civil lawsuits on his clients' behalf without their knowledge, forging signatures on settlement checks and documents and keeping money intended for his clients, the Cobb County District Attorney's office said in a statement.

"The victims came to him for help, and he helped himself instead," Senior Assistant District Attorney Jason Marbutt said. "People ought to be able to trust their lawyer. When a lawyer lies, it has ripple effects on the entire system."

Merritt was also ordered to pay $454,706 in restitution to his clients.

"Some of his client-victims were pursuing medical malpractice claims and are now further injured financially because of Merritt's crimes and abuse," the Cobb County DA's office said. "Some other victims are elderly. Merritt lied to the victims, leading them to believe he was still pursuing their legal claims. Meanwhile, he was spending the unauthorized settlement funds on lavish vacations and a Porsche."

CNN has reached out to the lawyer representing Merritt in his initial conviction for comment but has not yet received a response.

Source:
Disbarred Georgia attorney Richard Merritt on the run after allegedly killing his mother

See Also:
Disbarred Cobb attorney gets prison for defrauding clients 
 
Disbarred Lawyer Jailed on Theft, Elder Abuse Charges