Family of accused Thanksgiving Day killer talks

West Palm Beach, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - As Paul Merhige is held at the Palm Beach County Jail without bond, his relatives say they'll sleep better tonight, knowing he's behind bars. "The monsters in a cage its quite a relief." Its been terrifying for victim Jim Sitton, knowing 35-year-old Paul Merhige had been on the run for the last month.

17 people came to Thanksgiving dinner at the Sittons, but four including their little girl never walked outside again. Ever since the tragic shooting, the Sittons have had police officers guarding both their front and back doors, concerned Merhige would return.

As a local TV news photojournalist, Sitton knows the power of the media, but after years of shooting behind the camera, he never thought he'd become the story. "Three to four hours after I learned my little girl had died I talked to my friends and colleagues and told them and updated them on what happened," Sitton said.

He says it was surreal when tv crews arrived. "That helped that they were familiar faces," Sitton said. Faces that could help him spread the word about Merhige.

While stations from both local and national stepped in, it was the host of FOX's Americas Most Wanted that changed everything. "The minute John Walsh got involved it became huge and worldwide and I thought that's exactly what we needed to get this guy caught."

And now that Merhige is in jail, Sitton's ready to go back to tv news. "Once my wife feels comfortable I'm gonna get behind the camera back where I belong hopefully help someone else like you guys have been able to help me.

We're known as being the rough and gruff guys that barge in on peoples tragedies, I've always prided myself in being sensitive to victims, never wanted to victimize victims. I think I'll be even more sensitive now," Sitton said.

Sitton's wife was an executive producer at his station, but left so she could raise their little girl. He says his wife has had a difficult time losing both her mother and daughter.

Merhige will go before a judge again on February 1st.