2nd man charged in a deadly Connecticut home invasion, Joshua Komisarjevsky, set to go on trial
(CBS/AP) NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The trial of Joshua Komisarjevsky, the second defendant charged in the slaying of a mother and her two daughters during a notorious Connecticut home invasion, is set to begin today in New Haven Superior Court.
The 31-year-old faces a possible death sentence if convicted. His co-defendant, Steven Hayes, was sentenced to death last year.
Authorities say the two paroled burglars broke into a Cheshire home in July 2007, beat Dr. William Petit and killed his wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit and their two daughters, 11-year-old Michaela and 17-year-old Hayley. Dr. Petit survived.
Prosecutors say Hayes raped and strangled Hawke-Petit, and Komisarjevsky sexually molested Michaela. The two girls were tied up and died of smoke inhalation after the home was set on fire.