California Woman Accused Of Murdering Stepfather: 10 Things To Know

An interior designer from California, United States allegedly drugged and strangled her former stepfather after she found nude photographs of herself on his computer.

The 39-year-old Jade Sasha Janks is facing murder charges in the death of 64-year-old Thomas Merriman. Reportedly, Merriman, Janks’ former stepfather used the woman’s naked photos as his computer screen saver. The duo co-owned Butterfly Farms, a non-profit research institution.

The murder trial began last week.

Suggested Reading: Noida Woman Fakes Her Death By Murdering Mall Employee

California Woman Accused Of Murdering Stepfather: 10 Things To Know

• Thomas Merriman was found dead under a pile of boxes and blankets in a driveway near his home on January 2, 2021.
• During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Jorge Del Portillo alleged that Merriman's stepdaughter Jade Janks murdered him after she discovered nude photos of herself on his computer.
• Portilla said, "This was no accident. This was murder by design."
• According to the medical examiner, Merriman died from acute intoxication by Ambien.
• Prosecutors alleged that Janks planned to murder Merriman and try to make his death look like an overdose.
• Her friend, Adam Siplyak took the stand and testified that Janks admitted to killing her stepfather and told him that Merriman's body was in her car. Janks allegedly asked Siplyak to help move the body into the Merriman's apartment so it looked like an accidental overdose. Siplyak told jurors that he refused to help Janks.
• Siplyak was the one who called the police the following day and reported the crime. The police then found Merriman's body under a pile of boxes.
• Another friend of Janks' also testified and confirmed that Janks had told her that her stepfather had "scantily clad" photos of her as his screensaver. The friend added that Janks never indicated that she planned to retaliate.
• Janks' attorney argued that she served as Merriman's caretaker before he passed away. Reportedly, her attorney Marc Carlos said, "Jade Janks loved her stepfather... Unfortunately, Tom Merriman was a troubled individual, and he loved her in different ways."
• The defence argued that Merriman was an alcoholic who abused pills, such as sleeping pills, before his death. Carlos suggested that Merriman took a fatal dose on his own and accidentally overdose.