Petit Home Invasion: Graphic Testimony Before Both Sides Rest in Conn. Murder Trial

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBS/AP) Both the prosecution and defense in the multiple murder trial of Steven Hayes, one of two men charged with the horrific Petit family home invasion, rested Tuesday after the defense attempted to shift the blame onto Hayes' alleged accomplice Joshua Komisarjevsky.

PICTURES: Petit Family Murders

In the final day of testimony, jurors heard from state fire investigator Paul Makuc who testified that a gas-fueled arson blaze spread "in a very rapid, quick and violent manner" through the Petit house. Makuc added that the fire was so intense that firefighters had to retreat when they tried to enter the house.

Jennifer Hawke-Petit's body appeared to have been set on fire first, after she was strangled to death, and the fire spread from the family room to the second floor where her two daughters were tied to their beds, still alive, according to Makuc.

He testified that the elder daughter, Hayley, was able to get free but died what Makuc characterized as a "painful death" in the hallway.

Following Makuc's testimony jurors heard from a corrections officer who said he overheard a conversation between Hayes and another inmate where Hayes provided chilling details of his crimes.

Jeremiah Krob testified that Hayes said he didn't want to kill Hawke-Petit but that when he saw the police cruisers outside he went through with it. Krob's account followed testimony by a state police detective who said Hayes confessed he had sexually assaulted Hawke-Petit to "square things up" after Komisarjevsky told him he raped 11-year-old Michaela.

PICTURES: Petit Family Murders

The defense called only two witnesses and read a statement by Hayes' mother. The first witness, a Cheshire police officer, testified that he was outside the house for about 15 minutes before he saw two men run from the house, and that he tried to enter the house but the fire was too intense.

The other defense witness testified it took him about 20 minutes to get from the Petit house to a nearby town where Hayes bought gasoline, according to earlier testimony.

It's not clear why Hayes' attorneys called those witnesses, but his defense has emphasized Komisarjevsky's role in the crimes.

The corrections officer also testified that when the other inmate asked Hayes if he thought Dr. William Petit, the sole survivor in the home invasion, was involved in the murders for the insurance payout, Hayes replied that he believed it was possible. Hayes said he wondered if Komisarjevsky had loosened the knots to help him escape.

After court, Dr. Petit's father-in-law Rev. Richard Hawke said the words were "cruel and out of place."

"The only thing I want to say is Jennifer, Hayley and Michaela were the most important people in my life," Dr. Petit said after court on Tuesday, "and I really can't dignify that insinuation with a response."

Closing arguments are scheduled for Friday.

If Hayes is convicted, the same jury would weigh whether he should receive the death penalty in a separate penalty phase.

Complete Coverage of the Petit Family Murders on Crimesider.