Death penalty verdict for ham radio couple's killer

A jury in Santa Ana, California, has recommended today that a hardcore, documented gang member be sentenced to the death penalty for providing muscle in the murder-for-profit killings of Thomas and Jackie Hawks, KD7VWJ and KD7VWK on their yacht off Newport Beach in 2004.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 43, Long Beach, was convicted on February 19, 2009, of felonies for two counts of special circumstances murder for committing multiple murders for financial gain.

Kennedy is scheduled to be formally sentenced on March 27, 2009.

In November, 2008, a jury recommended the death penalty for co-defendant Skylar Deleon. He is scheduled to be formally sentenced on March 20, 2009.