in Martinez, a Contra Costa County jury recommended...

in Martinez, a Contra Costa County jury recommended that Glenn Taylor Helzer receive 5 death penalties for the 5 murders he committed during the summer of 2000. 
Glenn Helzer, 34,  pleaded guilty to all 18 charges filed against him. He admitted in early March to killing 22-year-old Selina Bishop; Bishop's mother Jennifer Villarin, 45; Villarin's friend, James Gamble, 54; and elderly couple Ivan and Annette Stineman. The murders were part of a bizarre extortion scheme Helzer devised as a way to raise money for a self-awareness group he hoped would spread peace, love and joy and quicken Christ's return to earth. Helzer had two accomplices -- his brother Justin Helzer and former roommate, Dawn Godman. A Contra Costa County Superior Court jury on August 3, 2004 (see) recommended Justin, 32, be sentenced to death. He is scheduled to be formally sentenced on Feb. 4. Godman pleaded guilty to the murders and agreed to testify against the brothers in exchange for immunity from the death penalty. She was sentenced in 2003 to 37 years.