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| Steven Hayes, 48 (left) and Joshua Komisarjevsky, 31 (right) |
Anyone who knows me pretty much knows that I am not a death
penalty supporter. I followed the Casey Anthony trial, and although I did want
her to be found guilty, there was something about sentencing her to death that
just didn’t sit right with me. I felt the same way about the Scott Peterson
trial, believe it or not. Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes are different
stories, however, and I can't help but think that no one is more deserving of
the death penalty than these two.
On July 23, 2007, Komisarjevsky and Hayes broke into the Petit family home in Cheshire, Connecticut during the early morning hours. Inside the home, fast asleep, were Dr. William A. Petit, Jr., a well-known endocrinologist, his 48-year-old wife Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and their two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11. The day before, Komisarjevsky had spotted Jennifer shopping at a local grocery store, and, unbeknownst to her, had followed her home.
Once inside, Komisarjevsky and Hayes severely beat Dr. Petit, tied up the daughters in separate rooms, and forced Jennifer to go with them to the bank to withdraw $15,000. While at the bank, Jennifer told the bank teller that her family was being held hostage at their home and to please send help right away. The teller was able to call police, but it wasn't in time. The teller would later testify in court that Jennifer had sounded 'petrified.’
As soon as they arrived back at the house, Komisarjevsky and Hayes raped and strangled Jennifer, sexually assaulted one of the daughters, and then set the house on fire. Dr. Petit managed to escape and made it to a neighbor's house to call for help, but it was too late for the rest of his family. His wife and two daughters died in the fire.
Komisarjevsky and Hayes were apprehended as they were fleeing the scene by the arriving police officers.
Hayes went to trial last year, was convicted, and was sentenced to death.
Komisarjevsky's trial concluded Thursday, ending with a conviction on 17
charges which included capital felony killing, sexual assault, kidnapping, and
arson. Sentencing is scheduled to begin on October 24.
Dr. Petit was brave enough to re-live the nightmare over and over again, testifying at both trials. Hopefully he can find some sort of closure now that this is all over.
To read more about this case, below are some great articles. This has saddened me on so many levels, and it just goes to show you that you are never truly safe, even in your own home.
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