Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 8, 2006 2:09:36 GMT -5
D.A. To Seek Death Penalty in Hawks Case
The Office of the Orange County District Attorney held a press conference
on September 6 to announce that it will seek the death penalty against 2
of the 5 suspects in the Hawks murder case.
District Attorney Tony Rack-auckas announced that he will pursue the death
penalty against Skylar Deleon, 26, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 40, both
from Long Beach, for the murder of Thomas and Jackie Hawks.
"There are some murders that are committed with such a malignant heart,
such callousness, that the only just punishment is death," Rackauckas
said, reading from a statement. "This was a clear case."
Calling Kennedy the brawn and Deleon the brain, the district attorney
decided to pursue the death penalty based on aggravating factors and
evidence. Factors for Kennedy included his membership in a Long Beach
street gang and the "callous and nonchalant manner" in which he acted
after the murder he is accused of committing. Deleon's involvement with a
prior armed burglary, charges of murdering another man, John Jarvi, and
charges of soliciting the murder of his own father and cousin contributed
to his aggravating factors, Rackauckas said.
The district attorney's office is seeking life without possibility for
parole for Deleon's wife, Jennifer, 24. It has not decided on what it will
seek for the other 2 suspects in the case, Alonso Machain, 22, and Myron
Gardner Sr., 33.
Thomas and Jackie Hawks went missing November 15, 2004, during a test ride
with Deleon, who they believed was a prospective buyer for their 55-foot
yacht, Well Deserved, and Kennedy. Prosecutors believe that Deleon
initially approached the couple to purchase the boat and that while
offshore, Deleon and Kennedy tied the couple to the boat's anchor and
dropped them in the water somewhere between San Clemente and Catalina.
The trial date is set for January 29, 2007.
(source: The Log)
The Office of the Orange County District Attorney held a press conference
on September 6 to announce that it will seek the death penalty against 2
of the 5 suspects in the Hawks murder case.
District Attorney Tony Rack-auckas announced that he will pursue the death
penalty against Skylar Deleon, 26, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 40, both
from Long Beach, for the murder of Thomas and Jackie Hawks.
"There are some murders that are committed with such a malignant heart,
such callousness, that the only just punishment is death," Rackauckas
said, reading from a statement. "This was a clear case."
Calling Kennedy the brawn and Deleon the brain, the district attorney
decided to pursue the death penalty based on aggravating factors and
evidence. Factors for Kennedy included his membership in a Long Beach
street gang and the "callous and nonchalant manner" in which he acted
after the murder he is accused of committing. Deleon's involvement with a
prior armed burglary, charges of murdering another man, John Jarvi, and
charges of soliciting the murder of his own father and cousin contributed
to his aggravating factors, Rackauckas said.
The district attorney's office is seeking life without possibility for
parole for Deleon's wife, Jennifer, 24. It has not decided on what it will
seek for the other 2 suspects in the case, Alonso Machain, 22, and Myron
Gardner Sr., 33.
Thomas and Jackie Hawks went missing November 15, 2004, during a test ride
with Deleon, who they believed was a prospective buyer for their 55-foot
yacht, Well Deserved, and Kennedy. Prosecutors believe that Deleon
initially approached the couple to purchase the boat and that while
offshore, Deleon and Kennedy tied the couple to the boat's anchor and
dropped them in the water somewhere between San Clemente and Catalina.
The trial date is set for January 29, 2007.
(source: The Log)