Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Skylar Deleon Faces Possible Death Sentence For Murders of Jackie and Tom Hawks Update 10-21-08

It does not seem like much of a defense. But maybe California is different then the Midwest.
Gary Pohlson, the attorney for Skylar Deleon, a former child actor, said his client is guilty of three murders but should not be put to death. Wow. Skylar is accused of throwing Jackie and Tom Hawks off their yacht bound to an anchor. Their yacht, was called the "Well Deserved" but I doubt that figures into the defense strategy.

Pohlson's 15-minute opening statement apparently was designed to prevent the death penalty. But saying, "Skylar is guilty of all three murders" may still be controversial. A concession is not necessarily a guilty plea; however, it may be a distinction without a difference. Pohlson said his client should not face the death penalty because others involved will have different outcomes of their cases. He urged life in prison.

Deleon is accused of killing Tom and Jackie Hawks in 2004 to steal their yacht. He also allegedly killed another man from whom he stole thousands in 2003. Skylar has pleaded not guilty to murder and murder for financial gain. The fall from fame may not have been so far as Skylar imagined. Deleon, 29, allegedly boasted that he was a star on the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers." However, the best Legal Pub can discover is that he apparently only appeared in one episode. Apparently, Deleon and his former wife, Jennifer Henderson, had a great deal of debt and a bank account containing only $2,619 on the day of the cruise. Orange County prosecutor Matt Murphy told jurors the couple took a cruise showing off their yacht to a possible buyer. According to the prosecution, the couple ended up "begging for their lives." Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Henderson was convicted in 2006 of murder for financial gain for her role in the deaths. She is serving two terms of life in prison without parole. Three other men have pleaded not guilty to murder and murder for financial gain and will be tried at a later date.

Deleon also allegedly murdered a man he met in a work furlough program in 2003. Murphy said Deleon got $50,000 from John Jarvi, then drove to Mexico where he slashed Jarvi's throat and dumped his body. Not a favorable fact scenario. While Deleon and the others are presumed innocent until proven guilty, after the opening statements, that presumption as to Deleon may not last for much longer.
Update 10-21-08: Surprise. Surprise. An Orange County California jury has convicted Skylar Deleon of murdering three people, including Mr. and Mrs. Hawks. Deleon was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and special circumstances for financial gain and multiple victims. Deleon could be sentenced to death.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not all Hollywood is bad!


Shell

Anonymous said...

This dude did not even reach the flash in the pan status!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like cold hard murder for money!

Secrets said...

He gives former child actors a bad name.

Ms Calabaza said...

it's those child actors again ...

Anonymous said...

what wonderful coverage of an icky guy!

Renwah said...

I can't believe that Skylar's attorney is trying to spare him being sentenced to death. They should tie that coward Sklyar to an anchor and throw him off a boat...and send his wife and John Kennedy with him.

Anonymous said...

I am with duprey on this one!

Anonymous said...

Greedy leach blood sucking scum of the earth, that's who I think Deleon is!

Anonymous said...

Greedy leach blood sucking scum of the earth, that's who I think Deleon is!

Anonymous said...

I read "Vanished At Sea", the book that tells the story of Skylar Deleon and the murders. It's a quick read and it shows that this loser and his wife deserve no mercy. His crimes were all calculated. There's no doubt in my mind that the guy is a socipath. He saw something he liked and wanted and without hesitation planned his crimes.

I wish you well :) Melek

"It is not our abilities that determine who we are, but our choices." ~ Prof. Dumbledor

Anonymous said...

Melek is 100% on target!

Legal Pub said...

Update 10-21-08: Surprise. Surprise. An Orange County California jury has convicted Skylar Deleon of murdering three people, including Mr. and Mrs. Hawks. Deleon was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and special circumstances for financial gain and multiple victims. Deleon could be sentenced to death.

Anonymous said...

Well it is scary to say but I worked with this guy back in approx 2000 or so at Ditech and am totally creeped out. It's one of those who would have guessed it stories. He seemed to be an ok young guy, he was flakey at work however as most young people are but he did change his name during that time which was weird being completely different stated it had something to do with his father and had some strange accident that sliced him up pretty bad in the stomach that he stated was from his motor cycle, now I question that. Creepy, I worked with a serial killer...good times!

Anonymous said...

Well, this is a good place to come and vent. Just be thankful you were not one of his victims.

Anonymous said...

He, like alot of child hood actors, freaked me out as an adult.

Anonymous said...

Was Skylar higher than a kite that day?