Death Penalty Sought in Connecticut Murders


New Haven State's Attorney Michael Dearington will seek the death penalty against two men who are accused of killing a doctor's wife and two daughters in a home invasion and arson in the quiet Connecticut town of Cheshire. Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes have been charged with six capital felony counts as well as assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, arson and others.
Investigators said the two convicted felons, who spent time in the same halfway house, spotted Jennifer Hawke-Petit and one of her daughters at a grocery store Sunday and followed them home, mainly because they liked their vehicle.

According to police reports, the men broke into the home of Dr. William Petit Jr. early Monday morning and held the family hostage for several hours. They forced Petit's wife to make a withdrawal at a local bank around 9:30 a.m., triggering suspicion among bank employees.

When police arrived at the Petits' home, they found the suspects fleeing in the family car and found the home ablaze. Dr. Petit, had been beaten and tied up in the basement, but managed to escape the fire. The bodies of his wife and their daughters - 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela - were found inside the house.

Repeat Felony Convictions

According to the medical examiner, Hawke-Petit, 48, was strangled and her daughters died of smoke inhalation. The mother and 11-year-old daughter were sexually assaulted, according to police reports.

Both Komisarjevsky, 26, and Hayes, 44, were on parole when the home invasion occurred. Each is being held on $15 million bond.

Although neither had ever been convicted of a violent crime, Komisarjevsky had been convicted of 21 felonies and Hayes convicted of 17.

Earlier Article:
Home Invasion Shocks Connecticut Town