Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 6, 2006 21:51:05 GMT -5
Death penalty sought for 2 men charged in yacht killings
In Santa Ana, prosecutors said Wednesday they will seek the death penalty
for 2 men charged with killing a retired couple for their yacht by tying
them to an anchor and pitching them overboard.
Skylar Julius Deleon, 27, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 41, were arrested
in January 2005. Their trial has been scheduled for early next year.
In announcing his decision to seek the death penalty, Orange County
District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said Thomas and Jackie Hawks of
Prescott, Arizona, were murdered "in the most cold-blooded way tied
together to an anchor, thrown into the deep, frigid ocean, the pressure
rapidly filling their lungs."
A message left for Deleon's attorney was not immediately returned.
Kennedy's lawyer, Winston McKesson, said he was not surprised by the
district attorney's decision, although he reiterated his client's
innocence.
"He didn't do it. He wasn't there," McKesson said, adding there was no
evidence connecting Kennedy to the crime scene.
The Hawks were last seen Nov. 15, 2004. Prosecutors allege Deleon
approached the couple with an offer to buy their 55-foot (16.5-meter)
yacht "Well Deserved."
During a test cruise off Newport Beach, Deleon, Kennedy and another man
overpowered the couple, who were murdered after they signed over the
yacht's title and control of more than $1 million (780,000) in assets,
authorities said.
"This couple literally watched their dreams float away as they were
drowning to death," Rackauckas said.
Their bodies were never found.
Rackauckas said Deleon planned the murder and used his wife and infant to
gain the couple's trust. If convicted, Deleon's 25-year-old wife, Jennifer
Henderson Deleon, could face life in prison without parole. Also charged
in the case were Alonso Machain, 22, of Pico Rivera, and Myron Gardner
Sr., 43, of Long Beach.
Deleon is also awaiting trial in the 2003 death of John Jarvi, 45, of
Anaheim. Authorities allege Deleon met Jarvi while the 2 were on a jail
work-furlough program and killed him during a trip to Mexico to steal
$50,000 (39,100).
In a 3rd case, Deleon has been charged with soliciting the murder of his
father and cousin. Both are expected to be witnesses at his trial.
(source: Associated Press)
In Santa Ana, prosecutors said Wednesday they will seek the death penalty
for 2 men charged with killing a retired couple for their yacht by tying
them to an anchor and pitching them overboard.
Skylar Julius Deleon, 27, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 41, were arrested
in January 2005. Their trial has been scheduled for early next year.
In announcing his decision to seek the death penalty, Orange County
District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said Thomas and Jackie Hawks of
Prescott, Arizona, were murdered "in the most cold-blooded way tied
together to an anchor, thrown into the deep, frigid ocean, the pressure
rapidly filling their lungs."
A message left for Deleon's attorney was not immediately returned.
Kennedy's lawyer, Winston McKesson, said he was not surprised by the
district attorney's decision, although he reiterated his client's
innocence.
"He didn't do it. He wasn't there," McKesson said, adding there was no
evidence connecting Kennedy to the crime scene.
The Hawks were last seen Nov. 15, 2004. Prosecutors allege Deleon
approached the couple with an offer to buy their 55-foot (16.5-meter)
yacht "Well Deserved."
During a test cruise off Newport Beach, Deleon, Kennedy and another man
overpowered the couple, who were murdered after they signed over the
yacht's title and control of more than $1 million (780,000) in assets,
authorities said.
"This couple literally watched their dreams float away as they were
drowning to death," Rackauckas said.
Their bodies were never found.
Rackauckas said Deleon planned the murder and used his wife and infant to
gain the couple's trust. If convicted, Deleon's 25-year-old wife, Jennifer
Henderson Deleon, could face life in prison without parole. Also charged
in the case were Alonso Machain, 22, of Pico Rivera, and Myron Gardner
Sr., 43, of Long Beach.
Deleon is also awaiting trial in the 2003 death of John Jarvi, 45, of
Anaheim. Authorities allege Deleon met Jarvi while the 2 were on a jail
work-furlough program and killed him during a trip to Mexico to steal
$50,000 (39,100).
In a 3rd case, Deleon has been charged with soliciting the murder of his
father and cousin. Both are expected to be witnesses at his trial.
(source: Associated Press)