By Tori Richards
November 20, 2006
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Crime Library) — The female half of a husband and wife duo accused of shanghaiing a yacht and throwing their owners overboard was convicted of the double murder "in light speed" on Friday.
"I thought (prosecutor) Matt Murphy knocked the cover off the ball, he did the most amazing job in closing arguments," said the detective on the case, Newport Beach police Sgt. Dave Byington. "It was the most amazing job I've ever seen, the jury was in light speed. I've never seen anything like it. I love Orange County juries."
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| Jennifer (Henderson) Deleon |
Orange County Superior Court jurors were out just 3-1/2 hours before convicting Jennifer Henderson Deleon, 25, of double murder and the special circumstances of multiple murder and murder for financial gain. Upon hearing the verdict, the normally stoic Deleon put her head down and sobbed as did family members of the victims.
She faces a minimum of 25 years to life or a maximum of life without parole when sentenced on Feb. 23.
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| Skylar Deleon |
Deleon's husband, Skylar, 27, will go to trial next year along with another co-defendant who participated in the plot to kill Thomas and Jackie Hawks. Murphy is seeking the death penalty against the pair because Skylar is accused of killing a third person in an unrelated incident and his co-defendant is a Crips gang member who has been to prison for attempted murder in another case. A third accomplice, Alonso Machain, confessed to police and will plead guilty. Before Machain came forward, Jennifer was offered a reduced sentence for her cooperation and she refused.
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Tom & Jackie Hawks/Skylar Julius Deleon Full Coverage & Breaking News
Discussion Forum: The Killings of Thomas & Jackie Hawks
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