Ghastly Details In Conn. Home Invasion

Papers Report Mother, Two Daughters Raped Before Their Deaths

(CBS/AP)  The two men accused of a brutal Connecticut home invasion may not have had violent crimes in their long lists of prior convictions, but sources tell local newspapers the pair's record changed when they invaded the home of a prominent doctor early Monday morning.

"This is everyone's worst nightmare," Lt. Jay Markella, Cheshire police spokesman, told the Waterbury newspaper. "It's by far the worst thing any of us have ever seen."

Joshua Komisarjevsky, 26, of Cheshire, and Steven Hayes, 44, of Winsted, were arraigned Tuesday on charges of assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, arson, larceny and risk of injury to children. More charges are pending, state police said Tuesday night. The two men could face the death penalty.

Prosecutor Michael Dearington said he had not yet decided whether to pursue the death penalty.

"I know the public consensus is they should be fried tomorrow," he said.

The state medical examiner confirmed that Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 48, was strangled and that her daughters, 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela, died of smoke inhalation. The deaths were ruled homicides.

The girls' father, Dr. William Petit Jr., a prominent endocrinologist, remained hospitalized with head injuries.

All three women were raped, sources familiar with the investigation told both the Waterbury Republican-American and Hartford Courant. Petit was beaten with a baseball bat, thrown down the basement stairs, and then tied up in the cellar.

The girls, sources told the Courant, were tied to their beds and raped repeatedly, then left to burn after gasoline was poured around their beds and ignited.

The suspects entered the Petits' Cheshire home at about 3 a.m. Monday, planning to burglarize it, state police said.

Sources familiar with the investigation tell the Republican-American that Hawke-Petit and Michaela were followed home from a supermarket Sunday by the suspects. The men then went to a Wal-Mart to buy an air rifle and a rope, and then waited about a mile-and-a-half away

State officials are re-examining their parole policies, but Robert Farr, chairman of the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Parole, said the task would be difficult because neither suspect had a history of violent crimes.

"That's why this is sort of shocking — because it doesn't fit a normal mode," Farr said.

Petit remained hospitalized Wednesday.

"He's doing OK physically. Emotionally he is devastated and still worried about others," said Petit's pastor, the Rev. Stephen Volpe.

He told CBS affiliate WFSB-TV the Pettits were a strong and giving family.

"I'm thinking of the father. I can't imagine what he has to come back to," neighbor Linda Layman told CBS News. "Nobody should have to go through that. It's very devastating. It's just horrible."

[jasbek]

POST PICS OF THE VICTIMS!!! NOT THE CREEPS!!

[afmca]

DEATH PENALTY !!!! But only after they are tortured like the mother and daughters in front of the other inmates as examples. Don't give me this bleeding heart liberal BS about life imprisonment - these two are not human so there is no need to treat them as such.

[soldat44]

POST PICS OF THE VICTIMS!!! NOT THE CREEPS!!
Posted by jasbek at 09:10 AM : Jul 25, 2007

+1

[soldat44]

Please pray for the father/husband - his Agony is just beginning.

[easternview]

Don't the two suspets have mother and family members? what if the same terrible things happened to their families? I think they dont deserve to be alive.

[navyretired2]

Totally agree with you afmca. TOTALLY.

What makes somebody's mind resort to this type of activity? It's beyond comprehension. I don't see any possible "cure" for these guys. Repeated burglars, been to prison, obviously not afraid to go back to prison. It's a shame we can't allow the doctor to exact eye-for-an-eye justice on these two.

[newsreader2]

Hopefully, sometime along the line these two will be taken care of by some stand-up convicts. Even in prison, they are the lowest form of life: due to their crime of baby raper and baby killer (11 year old). If they have any thing in them left: they will kill themselves as soon as possible. Pukes.

[gunownerdan]

This is why you must stop violent criminals before they kill you.
Criminals prefer defenseless victims!
SELF DEFENSE:
a-human-right.com

[slim1h2o]

I'm usually not for the death penalty, but in this case,........ They caught them red handed, so off with their heads. Horrific story. What the h@ll is wrong in this country now a days?

[gunownerdan]

"I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand."
-- Susan B. Anthony

"In being confronted by the reality that government cannot and will not guarantee my personal safety, I am infinitely thankful, both as a woman and an American, that the Bill of Rights still guarantees my right to defend myself with a gun. Any true feminist must support this position. Any woman who claims to be a feminist, but who supports disarmament of law-abiding citizens is simply a dangerous hypocrite."
-- Katherine von Tour, "My Transformation From Anti-Gun Feminist To Armed Feminist"

"We live in a world where more and more women are unaccompanied at odd hours, or they are vulnerable in dangerous places - a world where restraining orders are often ineffective and the police cannot be counted upon to arrive in time, if at all. In such a world, women must be able to protect themselves. In terms of both deterrence and lethal force, guns are among the most effective tools available for self-defense."
-- Mary Zeiss Stange, "Guns, like abortion, are a matter of choice"

Self Defense - A HUMAN RIGHT
http://www.a-human-right.com

Second Amendment Sisters
http://www.2asisters.org/

Women To Arms
http://womentoarms.net/

[bragdonec0]

human garbage at its finest....
how can people do this??

[naber1961]

not trying to play devils advocate because if they did it, they deserve all and more than is coming to them.... Has there been any indication the the father might have been involved? I am not saying he was at all, but there have been lots of times that the person that survived was involved. I am just wondering about it. If not the poor man's world is going to go a lot worse than it is right now.... I feel for him.

[juwboy]

afmca:

Thank you proving once again that the majority of US citizens do not have the moral fiber, b@lls or backbone to fulfil the obligations of that wonderful document, the US constitution.

[mediabrat60]

I don't agree with the death penalty for these two.
Considering their crimes, they will best be served by getting put into the general population of the prison, there they WILL be raped repeatedly and beaten.
Then, they will either be killed or kill themselves.

[shocked6]

These men are not human.To be human you have to be able to feel emotions.This crime is so hanus it makes me sick to my stomach,their not human and they don't have the right to be treated as such.I have a daughter,and I can't even imagine something like this happening to her.I would probably go out of my mind.My thoughts and prayers are with the father,that's who we need to focus on now.I agree with others,don't post pictures of these scumbags,post pictures of the victims.Maybe if the media stopped giving criminals publicity,and putting them in the spotlight,the crime-rate may slow down,even if it slowed down just a little,that would be some accomplishment.

[gunownerdan]

REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM!!!!!!
Be your very own bodyguard.
Responsible gun owership saves lives.

Self Defense - A HUMAN RIGHT
http://www.a-human-right.com

The Concealed Carry Database
http://www.packing.org

Liberals With Guns
http://www.liberalswithguns.com/index.html

Amendment II Democrats
http://www.a2dems.net/

Pro Gun Progressive
http://www.progunprogressive.com/

The Gun Toting Liberal
http://www.guntotingliberal.com/

More Gun Toting Liberals
http://www.geocities.com/guntotingliberals/

Second Amendment Sisters
http://www.2asisters.org/

Women To Arms
http://womentoarms.net/

Pink Pistols
http://www.pinkpistols.org

Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
http://www.jpfo.org

Black Man With A Gun
http://www.blackmanwithagun.com

Gun Owners of America
http://www.gunowners.org

Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
http://www.ccrkba.org

National Rifle Association
http://www.nra.org

Criminals love defenseless victims.

[slim1h2o]

Posted by mediabrat60 at 09:47 AM : Jul 25, 2007

Well,.. lets not take any chances, they might survive!

[processor2]

Yesterday, all the Feminazi's were posting suspicions and accusations towards THE MAN (husband) because he survived.

Where are the apologies from the feminazi's today for their false accusations and assumptions.

...

[processor2]

Yesterday, all the Feminazi's were posting suspicions and accusations towards THE MAN (husband) because he survived.

Where are the apologies from the feminazi's today for their false accusations and assumptions.

...

[mediabrat60]

Posted by slim1h2o at 09:52 AM : Jul 25, 2007

That's okay if they do, they will just endure more of the same.
Considering the other option...death penalty, they will sit in death row for years, 3 hots and a cot, with other like kind, co-miserating and getting every right they possibly can squeeze out of the government.

[docster215]

1 year in the general population then execution on there 366 day. We must stop wasting tax payers dollars on these animals!!

[navyretired2]

I'd really like to see some laws incorporated in this country where the courts can draw a line between the normal "capital" crimes and crimes that go beyond, like this one.

Publicized torture and execution would do wonders.

[mediabrat60]

"1 year in the general population then execution on there 366 day. We must stop wasting tax payers dollars on these animals!!
Posted by docster215 at 09:59 AM : Jul 25, 2007"

I agree. We all wish this, but unfortunately, it will never happen. The we'd have to waste the governments money.
Oh wait....that is our money.....!!

[mo005]

These guys are toast. Put them in general population the other inmates will take care of them. Better yet release them right out front of the jail. we will take care of them. Better yet put them in army clothes and release them on the streets of Iraq.

[gunownerdan]

It's helpful these days to have a big dog and a good gun.
Little works better for home security than having a gun and knowing how to use it.
Criminals will always prefer unarmed victims.
a-human-right.com

"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun."
-- The Dalai Lama

[slim1h2o]

Publicized torture and execution would do wonders.
Posted by NavyRetired2 at 10:01 AM : Jul 25, 2007

Then we wouldn't be any better than these 2 slimeballs

[bekah1974]

$15 million bail?,these animals shouldn't even been allowed bail.GunOwnerDan has the right idea,
REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM!!!!!!
Be your very own bodyguard.
Responsible gun owership saves lives.
My thoughts and prayers go to the remaining family and the community.

[mediabrat60]

Then we wouldn't be any better than these 2 slimeballs
Posted by slim1h2o at 10:05 AM : Jul 25, 2007

Yes we would, we wouldn't be going after innocent people.

[slim1h2o]

Yes we would, we wouldn't be going after innocent people.

Posted by mediabrat60 at 10:10 AM : Jul 25, 2007

That's true. I don't believe in torture, execute them!

[subroutine1]

Gosh, they only had 20 prior convictions! Obviously, this little incident is only a speedbump on their way to full rehabilatation. It's a crime they have not been released without bail while they await trial......so we could kill the ***.

[crystalblue3]

OMG this is really horrifying. It goes beyond the scope of evil as I imagine it to be. No greater arguement for death as a penalty ever existed.

I see their faces and I'm sickened at the callousness I see in their eyes. The total lack of remorse or emotion. Especially the bald headed one. (refuse to type his name). I would have to agree with my fellow commenters and would rather see pictures of the victims up there. They are the people we should be looking at.

[lochlan-2009]

We're wasting tax dollars on these guys. They even have the possibility for bail. They should put these guys where they belong for .50 cents.

[drinuk]

Don't waste a single dime on a trial, on defence or on feeding them one more day.

[gangesdak]

I hear that Europe has abolished death penalty. I also hear that many European countries do not want to extrsdite vile criminals to the US lest they get death penalty. Well Europe, we like such criminals put to death. There is no way such people can be brought to their good senses. I prefer electric chair offered in this case.

[gunownerdan]

The justice system is basically useless these days.
Apparently are too busy locking up non-violent potheads to worry about dangerous criminals.
That's why I own and know how to safely and properly use guns.
It's good to know I have a real chance to protect myself if some homicidal nutcase decides to make me or my loved ones their next target.
Self defense is the most basic of human rights and I will use it!
a-human-right.com

[iceman_1960]

White men are scary.

[navyretired2]

"Publicized torture and execution would do wonders.
Posted by NavyRetired2 at 10:01 AM : Jul 25, 2007

Then we wouldn't be any better than these 2 slimeballs
Posted by slim1h2o at 10:05 AM : Jul 25, 2007"

Have to disagree. "We" wouldn't be preying on innocent Americans. We'd be using filth to drive home the point that we won't take this *****!

But we do take it...because the ACLU would cry. I'd bet 99% of fathers out there would agree with my angle, if this were to happen to them.

[sandy19731]

POST PICS OF THE VICTIMS!!! NOT THE CREEPS!!
Posted by jasbek at 09:10 AM : Jul 25, 2007

+1
Posted by soldat44 at 09:27 AM : Jul 25, 2007

I respectfully agree that these men deserve no positive public forum, however it is useful for the public to see that sociopaths look like rest of us. Truly a disgusting and heartrending event along the lines of "In cold blood" by Truman Capote.

[zorlacskates]

maybe they knew they were headed towards deathrow so they pulled out all the stops. why kill just one of the victims when you can kill all three and face the exact same consequences? these two were obiviously complete morons who didn't stand a chance in hell of ever pulling off their caper (they did all this for a stinking $15K?), but they may have known they were dead if they got caught anyway. the death penalty isn't the disincentive people imagine.

[jasbek]

Maybe we should see what they look like, but should they get front page coverage with no available pics of the family, NO WAY! This gives them the glory that all those sickos want, front page news. Its disgusting.

[drummer94]

So sad. These animals deserve death and worse. And CBS, the two girls, at 11 and 17, are children, not women. Prufe reed.

[blackbug99]

I'm pretty liberal as far as innocent until proven guilty, but, for these guys, a tree and a rope would suit me just fine.

[soquilii]

OK, let's see what the death penalty protesters have to say about THIS one!!! I can just hear them now. Poor innocent men! They had a difficult childhood! They are misunderstood! Make more prisons to make room for them and their kind because killing people to show that killing people is wrong!
Meanwhile we support them in a comfy manner with our taxes.

I think the death penalty is too easy anyway. Stake them to a fire ant bed.

[gunownerdan]

This is why all househols and families in America should know how to safely and properly use guns and have at least 1 shotgun loaded and ready to go in case of an emergency.
A gun can't guarantee your safety but it's better than relying on the police to protect you!
That's why people have fire extinguishers.
A fire extinguisher can't guarantee your house won't burn down, but it gives you a better chance to put the fire out than just pissing on it and calling the fire department.
a-human-right.com

[opinionrules]

This is what we get for our liberal justice system. The article says they 'could' face the death penalty. There should be no 'could' about it.

But there are people in our society who would be 'offended' by the so-called barbaric death penalty. So we have to bow to the will of these 'compassionate liberals'.

[honestabe8]

GunOwnerDan: I agree totally.

For you folks who are arguing for summary execution without a trial, please move somewhere else.

[christiane3]

Some countries still have the eye for an eye justice system. Personally I have thought to myself many a time that that is not a bad idea. Maybe a little savage, but I honestly believe that it would help deter future criminals. What do you guys think???

[mz_col]

Evil just totally evil... it's bad enough to rob but why beat repeatedly rape and murder?? And a 11 year old girl and her sister who's only 17 ...sick evil men .... and then to burn them alive...defenseless-- hell is to good for them... May they get just a taste of what they put these women through and lethal injection is tooo good for them. May God bless the poor dad and husband as he tries to go on with his life with out his beautiful family .......

[processor2]

Yesterday, all the Feminazi's were posting suspicions and accusations towards THE MAN (husband) because he survived.

Where are the apologies from the feminazi's today for their false accusations and assumptions.

...

[processor2]

Yesterday, all the Feminazi's were posting suspicions and accusations towards THE MAN (husband) because he survived.

Where are the apologies from the feminazi's today for their false accusations and assumptions.

...