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Skylar Deleon, a former child actor, is awaiting the start of the sentencing phase of his trial after he was convicted of three counts of murder, including the killing of a couple tied to and anchor and thrown off their yacht.
Deleon, 29, who admitted his guilt during the trial, hopes the admission will spare him from the death penalty, which he is eligible for since the Orange County, California jury found special circumstances tied to the murders including financial gain and multiple victims.
The sentencing phase begins on Wednesday.
Deleon's lawyer Gary Poholson is expected to argue that DeLeon suffered from a troubled past and should not be put to death, according to the Associated Press. His father abused him and also died of AIDS, Pohlson noted.
Skylar, originally named John Jacobson Jr, was charged with murder of, Thomas and Jackie Hawks in 2005, a retired couple from California.
Deleon and two accomplices pretended to be prospective buyers interested in buying the Hawks' yacht for $440,000.
The couple disappeared after taking Deleon on a "test run", which prosecutors say he forced the couple to sign over ownership of the boat before tying them to an anchor and throwing them overboard. The bodies of the victims have never been found.
The Hawks had planned to sell to spend more time with their grandson in Arizona.
The trials of two others who allegedly conspired with Deleon, Alonso Machain and Myron Gardner, are pending.
Skylar's former wife, Jennifer Henderson, was convicted on the same charges in 2006 for her role in the couple's disappearance. She was sentenced to two terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Deleon was also convicted of killing 45-year-old John Peter Jarvi, of Anaheim, in December 2003. He was found dead in Mexico after Deleon stole $50,000 from him.
Deleon was once a child actor. A listing for Deleon on the Internet Movie Database Web site says he appeared in one 1994 episode of the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" TV show. He is not listed in the program's regular cast.
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