Verdict reached in penalty phase of yacht trial

February 27th, 2009, 3:00 pm · 10 Comments · posted by Larry Welborn

The jury deliberating in the penalty phase of the murder trial for John Fitzgerald Kennedy just announced that it has reached a verdict after about seven hours of deliberations.

The same jury last week convicted Kennedy, 43, of Long Beach, of two counts of first-degree murder plus special circumstances for his role in the Nov. 14, 2004, murders at sea of yacht owners Thomas and Jackie Hawks in a botched plot to steal their boat.

Jurors are now being asked to decide if Kennedy should receive a death sentence or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The verdict will be announced at about 4 p.m., as soon as prosecuting and defense attorneys arrive at the courthouse.

Nearly a dozen friends and relatives of the Hawkses have been waiting in Judge Frank F. Fasel’s 9th floor courtroom since deliberations began yesterday.

We will report on the verdict on ocregister.com as soon as we can.

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Posted in: Courts • Deleon • Deliberating • In the halls of justice • Miscellaneous

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Kimberly Dawson says:

February 27, 2009 at 3:25 pm

Kennedy’s head would look gorgeous in a large glass jar filled with formaldehyde.

Homatlast says:

February 27, 2009 at 3:34 pm

Death sentence or life without parole ~ same thing. Let’s just make sure he never sees the light of day (or the ocean) ever again.

dsanchez says:

February 27, 2009 at 3:35 pm

“Death Sentence” if I was on the jury.

OCNewswatcher says:

February 27, 2009 at 3:40 pm

This makes me hate California and it’s weak and impotent judicial system. No matter what.. the death penalty… won’t happen. LWOP.. hogwash, he’ll get out with the help of some whiney Liberal Politician.. this is crap.
Tie this scum to an anchor and sink him. Same with that weasel Skyler and his nasty disgusting woman.

there. I feel better.