Jesse James Hollywood is Now a Convicted Murderer

Jesse James Hollywood is now a convicted murderer after four days of jury deliberation. Last Wednesday, a jury decided that Jesse James was indeed guilty of the murder of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz. Hikers found Nicholas buried in a shallow grave at a place called Lizard’s Mouth in the mountains above Santa Barbara on August 12, 2000. After 9 years the Nicholas' family finally has some closure and sentencing will start this morning.

Jesse James Hollywood is eligible for the death penalty because the conviction comes with a special circumstance enhancement due to the fact that the murder was committed during a kidnapping. "Prosecutors believed Hollywood and friends kidnapped Markowitz as the result of a $1,200 drug debt Markowitz’s older brother, Ben, a former marijuana dealer friend of Hollywood’s, owed. An ongoing feud escalated over time. One day, as Hollywood was looking for Ben Markowitz, he instead came across Nick and threw him in a van. Less than three days later, Nick Markowitz was shot nine times and killed by Hollywood’s friend Ryan Hoyt."

Whenever drugs and alcohol are involved with acts of crime bad things are sure to happen to those involved. Decision making is obscured and people make rash choices as seen in Jesse James Hollywood's case. No matter the sentence Jesse receives, his life is ruined and a young boy was killed; we can't help but say, "for what", how could any of this be worth it? Nicholas' family may have some closure in this case but they no longer have a son; and they also have to live with the fact that their other son Ben was directly involved with the string of circumstances that led up to his brother's kidnapping and ultimately his murder.

It will be interesting to see if Hollywood receives the death penalty or life in prison. Let me know what your thoughts are on the conviction?

P.S. Don't forget to tune in to A&E tonight for Intervention to see Bret's Story. I will be back on Wednesday to talk about Bret's story.

Jesse James Hollywood Testified Tuesday

Jesse James Hollywood testified on Tuesday, claiming that he did not order the murder of Woodland Hills' teen Nicholas Markowitz who he and two friends kidnapped off the street nine years ago. Hollywood stated that the decision to snatch Nicholas Markowitz was an impulsive one that he regretted.

If you are tuning in for the first time, Hollywood is accused in the murder of Nicholas Markowitz, who was found shot and buried in a shallow ditch in Goleta, California. Markowitz is believed to have been kidnapped because his older brother, Ben Markowitz owed Hollywood drug money. This case was the inspiration for the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog", where Emile Hirsch played a character based on Jesse James Hollywood. The movie also hosted an all-star cast: Justin Timberlake, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Foster, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Anton Yelchin, along with Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis.

"I just feel terrible about everything that happened," Hollywood said under examination by his attorney James Blatt. "I feel terrible for the Markowitz family. I feel terrible that anyone would think I could do something like that." Hollywood, now 29, said he was scared of Ben Markowitz, who he claims left him threatening messages, poisoned his dog and broke a window. Hollywood stated that there was "no purpose or plan" when he took Nicholas Markowitz, he just wanted to find Ben Markowitz to settle the debt.

Over a two day period, Nicholas was taken to various locations in California and introduced to people before he was shot by gunman Ryan Hoyt, now on Death Row. Nicholas' body was found by hikers in Goleta. Hollywood testified that he smoked marijuana and played video games with Nicholas while they held him captive.

Prosecutors argue that Hollywood, after learning he could face life in prison for kidnapping, chose to get rid of the teen. We will see over the next couple weeks how the trial plays out. It is important to remember that when this crime was committed Nicholas Markowitz was 15, Ben Markowitz was 22, and Jesse James Hollywood was 20 -- three young lives radically impacted by the world of illegal drugs and addiction.

I encourage you to leave a comment about your thoughts on the trial of Jesse James Hollywood.

Jesse James Hollywood the Alpha Dog

Jesse James Hollywood the Alpha Dog, is a former drug dealer and fugitive, currently on trial for kidnapping and ordering the murder of Nicholas Markowitz. The movie Alpha Dog chronicled the events leading up to the kidnapping and murder of 15 year old Nicholas Markowitz; Alpha Dog quickly became a hit having an all-star cast including: Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Foster, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Anton Yelchin, along with Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis.

Alpha Dog hit home with Southern Californian residents and especially parents for its real life portrayal of the drug world and where it leads people. Prosecutors have finally rested their case against Jesse James Hollywood (born January 28, 1980), also known as Michael Costa Giroux and Sean Michaels, who is accused of ordering the murder of Nicholas Markowitz who he allegedly kidnapped to force payment of a drug debt. Prosecutors contend that Hollywood and others kidnapped the boy in 2000 in the San Fernando Valley to force his half brother, Ben Markowitz, to pay the $1,200 he owed Hollywood for drugs.

Hollywood disappeared after the killing and was finally arrested in 2005 on a Brazilian beach by FBI Agents. The trial was slowed down by the making of Alpha Dog, because during the filming Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Ronald J. Zonen provided copies of many documents on the case and served as an unpaid consultant to the film, citing his desire to have Hollywood captured. Zonen prosecuted Hollywood’s co-defendants and was poised to prosecute Hollywood. Hollywood's defense claimed there was a conflict of interest, and the California Court of Appeals for the Second District ruled on October 5, 2006, that based on Zonen's disclosure of the files and consultant service—he should be recused from further involvement in prosecuting Hollywood.

After four years Prosecutors have rested their case against Jesse James Hollywood, the defense will begin calling witnesses today and a jury could begin deliberations on June 26 or June 29. Hollywood, now 29, has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and murder charges. He could face the death penalty if convicted. Defense witnesses could include Alpha Dog director Nick Cassavetes, who interviewed some of the witnesses, and Ron Zonen.

I will be following this case as the defense begins their case and I will keep you posted. The story of Jesse James Hollywood and the untimely death of Nicholas Markowitz is an extreme example of how the disease of addiction can impact one's life and one's family. Remember to call Hope by the Sea if you need help with your recovery, untreated addiction is always a matter of life and death.