Judge Calls Killer Arrogant And Controlling Con Man

The San Diego Union – Tribune reports

“SAN DIEGO — A North County man convicted of killing his on-again, off-again girlfriend — a popular court reporter — by slashing her throat, was sentenced Monday to 26 years to life in prison.

Jonathan Scott French, 41, was convicted in May of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Jennifer Stark, 43, a mother of two who worked at the Vista courthouse. Her teenage son found the body July 31 in her Carlsbad home.

French flew into a rage and killed Stark after seeing a text message from another man on her cell phone, according to testimony during the trial.

Several of Stark’s family members said that French presented one image to the public, while attempting to hide his violent impulses. They cited evidence from the trial that indicated French had a history of failing to keep his anger under control.

Superior Court Judge Peter Spinetta, a retired judge from Contra Costa County who presided over the trial because the local judges had a conflict, agreed. He said during the sentencing hearing that French remains a danger to the public.

“You are indeed a narcissistic, controlling, manipulative, sociopathic con man who has demonstrated time and time again that you are unable to control your anger when you are slighted in the slightest ways,” Spinetta said.:

If the state is ever to release the Mr. French, Mr. French would have to prove to the State Board of Parole Hearings that he has taken dramatic action to work on his ego and anger. He would have to prove to the State Board of Parole Hearings that he can live a quiet, simple and, humble life that is centered on sprituality. He would have to show that he can be useful to society and why it is more productive to keep him in general society than locked-up.

I do not think Mr. French is going to receive a spiritual education in the California State Prison system and will not be capable of answering deep, philosophical questions that require deep introspection and honesty. Therefore, my bet that is he will not be released unless he gets help from a external, third-party that will provide him the resources to answer the subject questions with honesty and clarity.

I do not think anybody is going to show this man mercy and work with him to overcome his personal defects in prison. Therefore, I will think that he will die in prison just like so many killers before him did.