Bizarre twist as Hawks murder trial begins

If real life could parallel the musical stage, then the story of accused California murderess Jennifer Deleon could almost be compared with the fictitious story of "merry murderess" Roxie Hart from the musical "Chicago."

And if you have seen the stage production or the 2003 film, you know that at one point Roxie's attorney convinces her husband Amos to divorce her in hope of getting more sympathy for his client from the jury.

And now with life imitating art comes word from her attorney Michael Molfetta to the Orange County Register newspaper that 25 year old Jennifer Deleon has filed for divorce from her husband.

Jennifer Deleon is the wife of Skylar Deleon. He is the alleged mastermind behind a November 2004 plot to kill Thomas and Jackie Hawks, KD7VWJ and KD7VWK and then steal money from their bank accounts using power-of-attorney forms obtained under extreme duress.

Skylar Deleon faces the death penalty if convicted

In April 2005, charges were filed against Mr and Mrs. Deleon, along with Deleon, Myron S. Gardner Sr., John F. Kennedy and Alonso Machain.

The Orange County District Attorney's office later announced it would seek the death penalty for Skylar DeLeon and John F, Kennedy.

Prosecutors allege that the two overpowered the Hawkses and dumped them overboard into the Pacific Ocean during a phony test cruise of the Hawkses' 55-foot cabin cruiser. Their bodies have not been recovered.

According to defendant Machain's testimony at an earlier hearing, Jennifer Deleon was not present on the yacht when the Hawkse's were killed. But media reports recount testimony from a Newport Beach police detective that Mrs. Deleon accompanied her husband to a bank and unsuccessfully tried to withdraw money from the ham radio couple's account.

Recently, the Orange County California District Attorney's office elected to try Jennifer Deleon separately and the the big question in her trial is whether she'll take the stand? Attorney Molfetta says he won't decide until he sees how the first few weeks of trial testimony shape up.

What Jennifer Deleon's decision to file for divorce might mean when Skylar Deleon goes on trial in January of 2007 is not yet clear.

Source: Southgate Amateur Radio News from published reports

Latest news stories..

• Get our news headlines for your website • Submit your news story