Conn. doctor William Petit Jr. who survived family's murder remarries

Dr. William Petit Jr. arrives at Superior Court in New Haven with Christine Paluf, for the trial of Joshua Komisarjevsky in New Haven, Conn. on Dec. 8, 2011. / AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File

(CBS/AP) WEST HARTFORD, Conn. A Connecticut doctor whose wife and two daughters were killed in a 2007 home invasion has remarried.

Dr. William Petit Jr., 55, wed 34-year-old photographer Christine Paluf on Sunday. About 300 people attended the ceremony in West Hartford and the reception in Simsbury, said Rick Healey, a friend and family spokesman.

Complete coverage of the Petit murder cases on Crimesider

Paluf met Petit while working as a volunteer for the Petit Family Foundation, a charity set up by Dr. Petit in memory of his family after the killings in Cheshire. The foundation helps educate young people, improve the lives of those with chronic illnesses and protect those affected by violence.

Two men, Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes, are awaiting execution for killing Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela inside their suburban home.

Hawke-Petit's mother, Marybelle Hawke, has said her family welcomed the engagement and encouraged Petit to find peace and joy in his life.

Hawke-Petit's sister was among the wedding guests. A blessing written by Hawke-Petit's father, the Rev. Richard Hawke, was read at the wedding, Healey said.

The state legislature in April abolished capital punishment, but only for future crimes. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and key state lawmakers had insisted on that as a condition of their support for repeal in a long-running debate that focused on the Petit case.

Petit said that the death penalty verdict was not about revenge nor would it bring him closure.

"Vengeance belongs to the Lord," Petit said. "This is about justice. We need to have some rules in a civilized society."

Just this past May, Komisarjevsky declined to express remorse for the killings or to say anything to Petit, adding to the Associated Press that he tries not to think about the crime. He said that he does not have any nightmares from his crimes.

"I guess my reaction is not the reaction society expected," Komisarjevsky said.

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Petit Family Murders

[andie52]

she looks very much like a younger version of his wife

[themanfrombrum]

This is wonderful news, Doctor Petit. Congratulations.

[djseavy]

It takes a special person to marry a man who lost his entire family to murder. No doubt he has bad days when thinking about what could have been, rather than the horrific what is. I give both the bride and groom a lot of respect, and I hope they can build a good life together. As for the men who took this man's first family away from him, I'd volunteer to administer the lethal drugs. I'm not a big fan of the death penalty, mostly because of the false convictions. But when you have the right people and there can be no doubt whatsoever they did the murders, put them down, and do it quickly. I also praise the parents of his deceased wife for their blessing of this marriage. That speaks volumes about how loving and caring they truly are. Bless you all - except the perps.

[LosAngelesCA]

Mazel tav Dr. Petit. God bless you and your new wife. I am glad that you have found joy again. You deserve it.

[jwolfe2010]

Bless you and your new wife. May you find peace and joy in the years ahead.

[Eriverq]

Great for you Doc and have a couple kids you deserve it and you can never replace your lost but you can love you family even more.

[tom_gwynn]

Adoption is a wonderful thing, but with a birth rate hovering just at or even below 2.1 (the required number for replacement) the US definitely needs more kids. Where, after all, are the doctors that will care for us in our old age going to come from? Best wishes to Dr. Petit and his new wife.

[jwilsonte5]

Hopefully he man will be in peace. Now for the ones who want these guys to stay alive you not only hurt society by robbing us of laws that protect the weak and innocent from cowards like this . they really dont care . I dont want my money used to prolong there Miserable lives ! much as I would like to see them mistreated on a daily basis as I know they will be by guards and others. little things like spitting in there food and the feces blended in as I have wittnessed when work in DOC.they are in hell LOL
'

[Haw_Haw]

good for yo doc!

did they kill those POS's yet?!

[canislupus16]

""I guess my reaction is not the reaction society expected," Komisarjevsky said."

I wonder what his reaction will be as he walks the death walk.