EDITORIAL:

It’s one of the most heartless and brutal murders in recent memory.

And this much is clear: Whatever punishment jurors decide for Skylar Deleon, the 29-year-old con artist and killer brought it on himself.Word has it that during the penalty phase of the trial this week defense attorneys will point out that Deleon was abused as a child.

If indeed they play that card, we’re not buying it.

First of all, who knows if it’s true? And secondly, even if it is true it doesn’t excuse or explain in any way what Deleon did. There are plenty of abused children who manage to lead decent lives rather than going on killing sprees.

Deleon has been convicted of the murders of John Jarvi in 2003 and Newport Beach couple Tom and Jackie Hawks in 2004.

The motivation? Greed.

He slashed Jarvi’s throat after stealing $50,000 from him and tied the Hawkses to the anchor of their boat, the “Well Deserved,” in order to gain rights to the nearly $500,000 craft.

It’s difficult to imagine a more terrifying way to die than being bound, gagged, tied to an anchor and thrown overboard. By all accounts, the Hawkses were a loving couple who enjoyed taking leisurely trips. As the sordid scene played out, Tom Hawks rubbed his wife’s arm to comfort her.

Deleon was convicted of the three murders after less than a week’s worth of evidence and testimony from prosecutors sealed a conviction even defense attorneys said was inevitable.

Prosecutors are now seeking the death penalty in the sentencing phase of the trial.

The defense is trying to save Deleon’s life.

No matter the outcome, there is no bringing back John Jarvi and the Hawkses.

And it didn’t have to be that way.