Video makes jurors weep

On Nov. 12, 2004, Jackie Hawks barbecued with her friends and family aboard her and her husband’s boat, Well Deserved, for the last time.

The Newport Beach retirees were selling it after two years of a life at sea, looking forward to spending time with their new grandchild in Arizona. Jackie spoke with a sadness of leaving the life behind, saying she’d miss it, but also with an air of excitement that a new chapter in their life was set to begin.

That life was cut tragically short three days later when John F. Kennedy, Skylar Deleon — and accused-accomplice Alonso Machain, authorities believe — overpowered the Hawkses on their boat, tied them to an anchor alive, and threw them overboard, never to be seen again.

On Monday, 12 jurors saw a 22-minute home video filmed by the Hawkses documenting their two-year life at sea. The video concluded prosecutors’ brief case against Kennedy in their fight to have him sentenced to death.

Kennedy, 43, who police say is a Long Beach Insane Crips gang member, was convicted last week of helping Deleon and possibly another man kill the Hawkses on Nov. 15, 2004. Kennedy was brought on as muscle to help overpower Tom Hawks, who was in incredible shape despite his age.

Attorneys are into the penalty phase of the trial, when prosecutors seek the death penalty for Kennedy for his part in the murder-for-profit scheme.

Jurors and the Hawkses’ family and friends in the audience watched the video and became emotional, with several jurors dabbing tears from their eyes and audience members sobbing.

Kennedy, for his part, appeared to watch the entire video, a stark contrast to Skylar Deleon during his trial when he looked away the entire time it was played.

Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Matt Murphy explained to jurors Monday morning that this phase of the trial is focused almost entirely on emotion and sympathy. The six man, six woman jury can consider what the couple’s last moments sinking in the cold Pacific waters that night were like, how Kennedy behaved during and immediately after they were thrown overboard, and how the ordeal has affected the Hawks family.

During his opening statement, defense attorney Chuck Lindner aimed to connect with the Hawks family.

He said he wished the crime could be undone, and “candidly, we’re quite sorry for the circumstances involved.”

Lindner took aim at prosecutors’ strongest witness, Alonso Machain, who has testified for Murphy in every trial related to these slayings so far. He said Machain has every reason to lie and to minimize his own role in the plot, and is the only one who has spoken of Kennedy’s alleged carefree attitude after the couple was killed. Machain testified Kennedy popped open a beer and fished off the back of the boat as the men sailed back into Newport Harbor.

“If there is any bit of humanity and decency left in John Kennedy, if his life has had any positive meaning … if his life is allowed to do something beneficial … we should not morally or legally choose to condemn him to death. Because we’re wasting the potential God instilled in every man,” Lindner said.

He told jurors they’ve already sentenced Kennedy to life behind bars, now they simply choose whether Kennedy dies at a time selected by God, or by them.

That was a choice not afforded the Hawkses.

Tom’s son, Ryan Hawks, testified he still gets angry when he thinks about what he’s accomplished in the years since his parents’ death and that he won’t ever get to share it with them.

Tom’s cousin, Robert Gayl, said Tom always cheered for the underdog.

“If you asked for help, he was there. Tom would give you the shirt off his back if he knew you needed it,” he said. “There’s a part of me that’s gone and will never be replaced. A part of my heart is gone.”

Jackie’s mother, Gayle O’Neal, told jurors about the fear and sleepless nights family members endured for months after her daughter and son-in-law disappeared. Jackie’s siblings still can’t talk about it without becoming emotional, she testified.

Murphy rested his case early Monday afternoon, sending jurors home red-faced and teary.

Defense attorneys will begin their case today, with closing statements expected by the end of the week.

REPORTER JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.