Skylar Deleon

Infobox Actor
name = Skylar Deleon


imagesize =
caption =
birthname = Skylar James Deleon
birthdate = birth date and age|1979|8|12|mf=y
birthplace =
deathdate =
deathplace =
othername =
occupation =
yearsactive = 1994
spouse = Jennifer Deleon (? - divorced)
website =

Skylar James Deleon (born August 12, 1979) is a former American child actor who was arrested and, on August 16, 2005, charged with the murder of Thomas and Jackie Hawks, a retired California couple. [cite web
url=http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2005/08/skylar_deleon_c.html
title=Skylar Deleon Charged in Second Murder
publisher=Riehl World View
date=August, 2005
accessyear=2008
accessmonthday=January 23]

Biography

Early life

The son of a convicted drug dealer, Deleon began acting in bit parts in commercials as a child. At age 14, he appeared in a non-speaking part in the series "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers", which aired May 4, 1994. Unable to remember lines, Deleon's acting career faltered as an adult. At age 20, he joined the United States Marine Corps, but "went AWOL" fifteen days later. [cite book|last=Dirmann|first=Tina |title=Vanished at Sea: The True Story of a Child TV Actor and Double Murder|publisher=Macmillan|date=2008|pages=6|isbn=0-312-94197-8] He was later dishonorably discharged. [cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-deleonold1,0,6683554.story|title='He did it. I know he did it,' man says of son|last=Hanley|first=Christine |date=2007-05-28|publisher=latimes.com|accessdate=2008-10-07]

Murder of Thomas and Jackie Hawks

In November 2004, Deleon answered an ad regarding the sale of a yacht. The Hawks, who were both retired and had lived and sailed to various locations on the yacht, were attempting to sell it with plans to buy a new home. The couple was initially cautious of Deleon, but became more receptive when Deleon brought his then-pregnant wife Jennifer and their other child to a meeting. During a sea test in Newport Beach Harbor a few days later, Deleon and three accomplices-- Alonso Machain, Myron Gardner and John Kennedy , allegedly bound and gagged the couple and threw them overboard. [ [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-deleon8-2008oct08,0,6703001.story "Skylar Deleon goes on trial in killing of yacht owners."] "Los Angeles Times". October 8, 2008.] [ [http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/07/yacht.killings.trial.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview "'Power Ranger' faces death penalty in yacht killings."] "CNN". October 7, 2007.] The Hawks' bodies have never been found. Authorities allege that Deleon masterminded the plan to kill the couple for financial gain and enlisted Kennedy (who once served time for attempted murder) and Machain (a former correctional officer that Deleon met while in jail for burglary) to help. [cite web|url=http://www.timespublications.com/jan07-feature1.asp|title=Depths of Evil|date=2006-11|publisher=timespublications.com|accessdate=2008-09-25] cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special27/articles/0415hawks0415.html|title=Prescott couple took fatal voyage|last=Wagner|first=Dennis |date=2007-04-15|publisher="The Arizona Republic"|accessdate=2008-09-24] cite web|url=http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2006/08/08/publicsafety/dpt-deleon01.txt|title=Deleon pleads not guilty to murder plot|last=Vane|first=Lauren |date=2006-08-04|publisher=dailypilot.com|accessdate=2008-09-25]

In March 2005, Machain confessed to the crime and, along with Deleon, Deleon's wife, Jennifer, and Kennedy were arrested in connection with the couple's disappearance. Skylar Deleon has maintained his innocence claiming that he was not present at the time and that the couple was killed over a drug deal gone bad. Kennedy also pleaded not guilty.

While awaiting trial in jail, Deleon was also charged with soliciting another inmate to murder his father and cousin. He was also accused of killing John Jarvi, a resident of Anaheim who was found dead in Mexico in 2003. Deleon's father and cousin (who was charged as an accessory to the Jarvi murder) are considered "important witnesses" in both murder cases. On March 13, 2008, Deleon partially severed his penis with a razor blade while being held in jail. [cite web
url=http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_9846250|title=Man awaiting trial tries to 'saw off' his penis
publisher=Long Beach Press Telegram
date=July, 2008
accessyear=2008
accessmonthday=July 10] After seeking medical attention, he was returned to jail the following day. [cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jul/12/local/me-deleon12|title=Accused killer attempts to sever own penis in O.C. jail |last=Reyes|first=David |date=2008-07-12|publisher=articles.latimes.com|accessdate=2008-09-24]

entences

Deleon's wife, Jennifer, was found guilty on two counts of first degree murder on Friday November 17, 2006, after only four hours of jury deliberation. In October 2007, Jennifer Deleon, now calling herself Jennifer Henderson since her divorce from Skylar Deleon, was sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole. [cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299837,00.html|title=California Mother Convicted in Plot to Kill Couple for Yacht Sentenced to Life Terms|date=2007-10-06|publisher=foxnews.com|accessdate=2008-09-24]

On September 22, 2008, jury selection began in the case against Skylar Deleon. [cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/deleon-trial-jurors-2166497-first-case|title=Jury selection under way in yacht murder case|last=Welborn|first=Larry|date=2008-09-22|publisher=ocregister.com|accessdate=2008-09-24] On October 10, Deleon pleaded guilty to three counts of murder. [cite web|url=http://www.nbc11.com/msnbcentertainment1/17687965/detail.html|title=Child Star Admits Killing 2 For Yacht|date=2008-10-10|publisher=nbc11.com|accessdate=2008-10-10]

References

External links

*imdb|2117623
* [http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/sections/local/local_columns/article_632770.php Yacht murder case looks like true-crime sequel]
* [http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/index.html#link%3D404-crimelibrary Tom & Jackie Hawks/Skylar Julius Deleon Full Coverage & Breaking News]
* [http://www.tomandjackiehawks.com/news.htm Tom and Jackie Hawks Official News Site]

Persondata
NAME= Deleon, Skylar
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Deleon, Skylar James
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Former child actor
DATE OF BIRTH= August 12, 1979
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=