Certain crime narratives leave an indelible mark on the psyche, particularly those involving the suffering of children, especially when the perpetrators are their own parents. Such accounts are not only distressing to read but also linger in memory long after the details have faded. While there are numerous murder cases that may capture public attention momentarily, many are ultimately forgotten as the grim reality of daily violence persists. Among these, gang-related homicides represent a significant portion, alongside crimes driven by passion or, more chillingly, by financial gain, executed with a disturbing lack of empathy. The tragic case of Thomas and Jackie Hawks exemplifies this latter category.
In 2004, Thomas Hawks, aged 57, and his 47-year-old wife Jackie, were the proud owners of a beautiful 55-foot yacht they affectionately named the “Well Deserved.” As they anticipated the arrival of their grandchild, the couple made the decision to sell their beloved vessel, listing it for $440,000. Their advertisement caught the attention of 24-year-old John Jacobson, a man with a criminal past. Initially skeptical, the Hawks were somewhat reassured when Jacobson arrived for a meeting accompanied by his pregnant wife and young child, a calculated move to gain their trust. However, the true intentions of Jacobson and his accomplices would soon reveal themselves during a seemingly innocent test drive at the dock.
Once they were out on the open water, the situation took a horrifying turn as Jacobson and his associates overpowered Thomas and Jackie. The couple endured a harrowing ordeal, being subjected to torture until they complied with the demands to transfer the yacht's title and divulge their banking information. With their victims incapacitated, the criminals callously tied the Hawks to the boat's anchor and cast them into the depths of the sea. Following this heinous act, the trio nonchalantly celebrated by drinking beer and fishing, seemingly unfazed by their actions. Their capture was swift, as they attempted to access the Hawks' bank accounts. Jacobson faced trial not only for the murders of Thomas and Jackie but also for another brutal killing, ultimately receiving a death sentence five years after the couple's tragic demise.
In 2009, the Orange County DA issued a press release:
On November 9, 2004, Skylar Deleon conspired with his then-pregnant spouse, Jennifer Deleon, to establish a rapport with the Hawks by arranging a meeting on their boat. This meeting was facilitated by bringing along their nine-month-old child, a tactic intended to foster trust. Prior to this encounter, Skylar Deleon and his accomplice, Machain, had meticulously surveilled the boat for three days, ensuring they were well-prepared for the planned deception. In a further twist, Gardner is alleged to have enlisted the services of Kennedy, a known and documented member of a Los Angeles gang, to provide the necessary physical intimidation for their scheme.
On November 15, 2004, Kennedy joined forces with Skylar Deleon and Machain under the guise of taking the boat out for a test drive, ostensibly to assess its suitability for purchase. During this outing, Kennedy assumed the role of Skylar Deleon's "accountant." Once they were out at sea, the situation escalated dramatically as Kennedy, with the assistance of Skylar Deleon and Machain, subdued the Hawks. They coerced the victims into signing over the title documents, subsequently handcuffing and binding them to an anchor before tragically drowning them in the ocean. Skylar Deleon, aged 29 and from Long Beach, was ultimately sentenced to death on April 10, 2009, after being convicted by a jury on October 20, 2008, of three counts of special circumstances murder, which included multiple murders and murder for financial gain. His criminal history included a prior conviction for residential burglary in 2003, and a jury had recommended the death penalty for him on November 6, 2008.
Skylar Deleon, also known as Jacobson, is a figure of interest due to his controversial case. His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, and he received additional benefits from the state of California, particularly under the support of Kamala Harris. Deleon asserted that he was "born in the wrong body," which led to a name change and sex reassignment surgeries funded by the state.
Harris's stance on state-funded sex reassignment surgeries for inmates has evolved over time. In 2015, she expressed some reservations about using state funds for such procedures for prisoners. However, her position shifted, and she now fully endorses the funding of these surgeries, aligning with her party's broader support for such initiatives.
Harris claimed to have significantly influenced California's policy, ensuring that all transgender inmates within the prison system receive the medical care they require and desire, which she described as a matter of humanity.
There are three weeks remaining until election day, providing her with ample opportunity to change her stance multiple times.
The situation surrounding Jacobson raises profound ethical concerns, as he underwent surgeries to remove his body parts and acquire artificial breasts, subsequently adopting the name "Skylar." Meanwhile, the Hawks, who were tragically murdered two decades ago by a psychopath and his accomplices, remain a haunting memory. Their grandchild, deprived of their presence, is a stark reminder of the violence that claimed their lives. Jacobson's justification for the killings was purportedly to finance his sex-change operation, despite the fact that the state covered the costs, a fact that Harris supports. While Jacobson may have lost his male identity, he has gained artificial female attributes and a political ally in the presidential race. Harris characterizes this as an "issue of humanity." Jacobson is now set to be transferred to a women's prison, reinforcing the narrative of humanity in this complex case.
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