A jury has convicted a Southern California man of murdering three people, including a couple who were tied to an anchor and thrown off their yacht.
The Orange County Superior Court jury convicted Skylar Deleon on Monday after just a few hours of deliberation.
His attorney conceded to the jury from the outset that Deleon was guilty but should not be put to death. The penalty phase of the trial will begin Wednesday.
The jury found Deleon guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and special circumstances of murder for financial gain and multiple murders.
Two victims, Tom and Jackie Hawks, were thrown from their Newport Bay-based yacht in 2004 during a cruise to show the vessel to what they believed was a prospective buyer.
Prosecutors say the other victim was a man whose throat was slashed in Mexico after he gave Deleon $50,000.
Ryan Hawks, the 32-year-old son of Tom Hawks, lives in San Diego. He created a Web site where friends have uploaded photos of the fun-loving Arizona couple along with hundreds of notes and prayers that they rest in peace.
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The couples' bodies were never found.
