By Tori Richards

November 3, 2006

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Betty Jarvi is steeling herself for a rough few weeks.

Three years ago her son Jon was found with his throat slit along a Mexican highway, and the woman police say helped cover up the slaying is going to trial.

Jon Jarvi

But it's not in connection with Jon's death, it's for the murders of Thomas and Jackie Hawks, who were tied to the anchor of their yacht and thrown overboard alive. Although Jennifer Deleon was not on the yacht at the time, she was the mastermind behind her husband's actions, authorities say. Jennifer is being tried separately and opening statements are Monday. Husband Skylar Deleon faces similar charges along with Jarvi's murder and will go to trial next year.

The Hawks

But for Betty Jarvi, it really doesn't matter. She will still attend Jennifer's trial as much as possible because she believes the woman was complicit her son's death and she wants justice one way or another. Jennifer was initially charged in the Jarvi case, but the counts were dropped because of a jurisdictional issue between neighboring counties.

Jennifer's mother, Lana Henderson, has said her daughter knew nothing of the Jarvi killing and is innocent.

Jennifer (Henderson) Deleon

"I feel like this is kind of opening up the wounds," Betty Jarvi says. "I feel like the wife is probably the brains of the family. Skylar is an empty shell as far as I'm concerned. I'm not angry at him, I feel like he's a piece of dirt. You can't feel angry at a piece of dirt."

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Contact Tori Richards at NewsWriter2@aol.com

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