Cheshire murders

On the evening of Sunday, July 22, 2007, 48-year-old Hawke-Petit and her daughter Michaela went to a local Stop & Shop grocery store in Cheshire, Connecticut.{{cite news|last1=Fernandez|first1=Manny|title=Tears and Reminiscences for Three Murder Victims|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/nyregion/29chesire.html|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=July 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016071201/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/nyregion/29chesire.html|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/20706697/ns/dateline_nbc-crime_reports/t/desperate-hours/#.Xo9cXYhKiUk|title=Desperate hours|first=Dennis|last=Murphy|date=September 10, 2007|website=NBC News|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910201036/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/20706697/ns/dateline_nbc-crime_reports/t/desperate-hours#.Xo9cXYhKiUk|url-status=dead}} They picked up food for a family dinner Michaela planned to prepare.{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/the-true-crime-times/the-cheshire-murders-innocence-lost-1e4bec712e09|title=The Petit Family Nightmare|date=November 4, 2019|website=medium.com|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101103756/https://medium.com/the-true-crime-times/the-cheshire-murders-innocence-lost-1e4bec712e09|url-status=live}} During their trip to the grocery store, Komisarjevsky noticed and took interest in them, proceeding to follow them home.{{cite news|title=Second Defendant Is Convicted in Connecticut Triple Murder|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/nyregion/komisarjevsky-convicted-of-triple-murder-in-cheshire-conn.html|access-date=September 22, 2015|work=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=October 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016122654/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/nyregion/komisarjevsky-convicted-of-triple-murder-in-cheshire-conn.html|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/joshua-komisarjevsky-cheshire-home-invasion-jennifer-hawke-petit/1892579/|title=Recorded Komisarjevsky Confession Released|first=John|last=Christoffersen|date=September 26, 2011|website=nbcconnecticut.com|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309053142/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/joshua-komisarjevsky-cheshire-home-invasion-jennifer-hawke-petit/1892579/|url-status=live}} Prosecutors argued at the trial that Komisarjevsky was motivated by money and his interest in Michaela, whom he later sexually assaulted.{{Cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2011/10/jury_finds_joshua_komisarjevsk.html|title=Jury finds Joshua Komisarjevsky guilty on all 17 counts in Connecticut home invasion, murder trial|date=October 13, 2011|website=masslive.com|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411150504/https://www.masslive.com/news/2011/10/jury_finds_joshua_komisarjevsk.html|url-status=live}}

Shortly afterwards, Hayes sent a text message to Komisarjevsky that read, "I'm chomping at the bit to get started. Need a margarita soon." Hayes then texted, "We still on?" Komisarjevsky replied, "Yes." Hayes's next text asked, "Soon?", to which Komisarjevsky replied: "I'm putting the kid to bed hold your horses". Hayes replied: "Dude, the horses want to get loose. LOL."{{citation|title=Accused Killers Sent Joking Texts Before Conn. Home Invasion|publisher=CBS NewYork.com|date=September 23, 2010|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/09/23/med-exam-resumes-home-invasion-testimony/|access-date=October 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016014342/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/09/23/med-exam-resumes-home-invasion-testimony/|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}}{{citation|author=Italiano, Laura|title=Twisted texts of a killer Conn. fiend to cohort: 'Get loose! LOL'|publisher=New York Post|date=September 24, 2010|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/twisted_texts_of_killer_G8iLnVxkF0WgpcTcOeC4QM|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926195121/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/twisted_texts_of_killer_G8iLnVxkF0WgpcTcOeC4QM|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2010|access-date=April 6, 2011}}

According to Hayes's confession, Hayes and Komisarjevsky had planned to rob the Petit house under the cover of darkness, leaving the family bound but otherwise unharmed. Both attributed the grisly outcome to a change of plan. Upon their arrival in the early hours of July 23, they found William asleep on a couch in the sun room. Komisarjevsky entered the basement through an unlocked door and took a baseball bat he found leaning on the basement stairs. Komisarjevsky then entered the sun room and used the bat to strike William four or five times.{{cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/petit-family-murder-trial-new-evidence-testimony-paints-graphic-picture-of-conn-home-invasion/ | work=CBS News | first=Edecio | last=Martinez | title=Petit Family Murder Trial: New Evidence, Testimony Paints Graphic Picture of Conn. Home Invasion | date=September 23, 2010 | access-date=February 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220032716/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20017372-504083.html | archive-date=February 20, 2011 | url-status=live}}{{Cite report|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/66451297/State-s-189b-9-22-Part-1|title=State's 189b 9-22 Part 1|pages=9–11|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308221334/https://www.scribd.com/document/66451297/State-s-189b-9-22-Part-1|url-status=live}} Komisarjevsky and Hayes bound William's wrists and ankles with plastic zip ties and rope. William remembered one perpetrator telling the other, "If he moves, put two bullets in him."{{cite book |last=D'Agostino |first=Ryan |title= The Rising: Murder, Heartbreak, and the Power of Human Resilience in an American Town |publisher=Crown Publishers New York |page= 72|isbn=014752170X}} The children and their mother were then bound in their respective rooms. Hayes and Komisarjevsky tied them by their wrists and ankles to their bedposts and placed pillowcases over their heads.{{cite book |last=D'Agostino |first=Ryan |title= The Rising: Murder, Heartbreak, and the Power of Human Resilience in an American Town |publisher=Crown Publishers New York |page= 73|isbn=014752170X}}

After restraining the victims, Komisarjevsky and Hayes ransacked the house for cash.{{Cite report|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/66451277/State-a-189b-9-22-Part-2?ad_group=131678X1600839X8bc03ee8f022e836e33061295e0bebdb&campaign=SkimbitLtd&keyword=660149026&medium=affiliate&source=hp_affiliate|title=State's 189b 9-22 Part 2|pages=13–14|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308123422/https://www.scribd.com/document/66451277/State-a-189b-9-22-Part-2?ad_group=131678X1600839X8bc03ee8f022e836e33061295e0bebdb&campaign=SkimbitLtd&keyword=660149026&medium=affiliate&source=hp_affiliate|url-status=live}}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}} They then took William to the basement, where they tied him to a support pole.{{cite book |last=D'Agostino |first=Ryan |title= The Rising: Murder, Heartbreak, and the Power of Human Resilience in an American Town |publisher=Crown Publishers New York |pages= 73–75|isbn=014752170X}} Hayes and Komisarjevsky continued ransacking the house for money but were not satisfied with what they found. They then found a check register with $40,000. They decided to steal $15,000.{{Cite report|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/66451277/State-a-189b-9-22-Part-2|title=State'a 189b 9-22 Part 2|page=14|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914235105/https://www.scribd.com/document/66451277/State-a-189b-9-22-Part-2|url-status=live}}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}}

Surveillance video from a gas station shows Hayes purchasing $10 worth of gasoline in two cans that were taken from the Petit home. After returning to the house, Hayes took Hawke-Petit to the bank. The prosecution later claimed that this was evidence of premeditated murder.{{cite book|title=When Things Seem Odd: Polly and the Internal Guardian |first=Michael |last=Legare |date=January 12, 2016 |publisher=FriesenPress |isbn=978-1460277515}} Hayes forced Hawke-Petit to withdraw $15,000 from her line of credit when the bank opened. Hawke-Petit informed the bank teller that two men were holding her family hostage in their home and threatening to kill them all. Bank surveillance cameras captured the transaction. The bank manager called 9-1-1 and reported the situation to police while Hawke-Petit was still with the teller. The manager reported to the 9-1-1 dispatcher, in real-time, as Hawke-Petit left the bank. The manager told the dispatcher that Hawke-Petit had indicated that the home invaders were "being nice" and that she believed they only wanted money. The Cheshire police responded to the bank's report by assessing the situation and setting up a vehicle perimeter, without revealing their presence.{{cite news|last=Italiano|first=Laura|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917074348/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/teller_urgent_bid_to_save_lives_WpERoX8jNoyGlWbq4j06hP|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/teller_urgent_bid_to_save_lives_WpERoX8jNoyGlWbq4j06hP|title=Teller's urgent bid to save lives|newspaper=The New York Post|date=September 16, 2010|archive-date=September 17, 2010}}

While the police were outside the house, Hayes and Komisarjevsky aggravated the nature of their crimes. Komisarjevsky sexually assaulted 11-year-old Michaela, which he later confessed to when interrogated.{{cite news|url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Confession-Read-the-transcript-of-what-Joshua-11554276.php|title=Confession: Read the transcript of what Joshua Komisarjevsky said to police|date=September 26, 2011|website=New Haven Register|access-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409090243/https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Confession-Read-the-transcript-of-what-Joshua-11554276.php|archive-date=April 9, 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite report|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/66451323/State-s-189b-9-22-Part-6|title=State's 189b 9-22 Part 6|pages=11–15|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210050912/https://www.scribd.com/document/66451323/State-s-189b-9-22-Part-6|url-status=live}} Evidence that Komisarjevsky raped Michaela came from her autopsy, during which State Medical Examiner Dr. Wayne Carver found his semen in her body.{{cite news|url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Jury-in-Komisarjevsky-trial-hears-autopsy-results-11553049.php|title=Jury in Komisarjevsky trial hears autopsy results of Michaela Petit|last1=R|first2=all|last2=Beach|first3=Register|last3=Staff|date=September 28, 2011|website=New Haven Register|access-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506213828/https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Jury-in-Komisarjevsky-trial-hears-autopsy-results-11553049.php|archive-date=May 6, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20110928/jury-in-komisarjevsky-trial-hears-autopsy-results-of-michaela-petit|title=Jury in Komisarjevsky trial hears autopsy results of Michaela Petit|newspaper=New Haven Register |date=September 28, 2011|access-date=September 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083819/http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20110928/jury-in-komisarjevsky-trial-hears-autopsy-results-of-michaela-petit|archive-date=August 19, 2014|url-status=live}} Komisarjevsky photographed the assault and rape on his cell phone.{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/2010/09/23/2nd-suspect-looms-large-in-hayes-trial/|title=2nd Suspect Looms Large In Hayes Trial|work=Hartford Courant|date=September 23, 2010 |access-date=September 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009015051/http://articles.courant.com/2010-09-23/news/hc-hayes-autopsy-testimony-0924-20100923_1_petits-cheshire-hayes-and-komisarjevsky-jennifer-hawke-petit/2|archive-date=October 9, 2010|url-status=live}} In his interrogation, he claimed that he believed Michaela was 14 or 16.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/hc-xpm-2011-09-22-hc-komisarjevsky-day3-0922-20110921-story.html|title=Courtroom Evacuated During Komisarjevsky Trial Thursday|first=Alaine|last=Griffin|date=September 22, 2011|website=courant.com|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=July 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708091704/https://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/hc-xpm-2011-09-22-hc-komisarjevsky-day3-0922-20110921-story.html|url-status=live}} Forensic testing results showed that there was bleach on Michaela's clothes, indicating that Komisarjevsky may have tried to eliminate DNA evidence from the assault. According to Hayes' confession, Komisarjevsky provoked Hayes into raping Hawke-Petit.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/TheLaw/gruesome-petit-trial-testimony-suspects-snapped-photos-assaults/story?id=11710077|title=Petit Trial Testimony: Suspects Snapped Photos During Sex Assaults|first1=Andrea|last1=Canning|first2=Kaitlyn|last2=Folmer|first3=Lee|last3=Ferran|first4=Sarah|last4=Netter|date=September 13, 2010|website=abcnews.go.com|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417134035/https://abcnews.go.com/US/TheLaw/gruesome-petit-trial-testimony-suspects-snapped-photos-assaults/story?id=11710077|url-status=live}},

William was able to hear his wife's assault upstairs. He yelled up and heard one of the invaders say, "Don't worry. It's all gonna be over in a couple of minutes." William then managed to escape.{{cite book |last=D'Agostino |first=Ryan |title= The Rising: Murder, Heartbreak, and the Power of Human Resilience in an American Town |publisher=Crown Publishers New York |pages= 79–81|isbn=014752170X}} He later said, "I thought, it's now or never because in my mind at that moment, I thought they were going to shoot all of us."{{citation|title=Survivor of Connecticut Home Invasion Murders Takes the Stand|publisher=FoxNews.com|date=September 14, 2010|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/14/conn-doctor-takes-witness-stand-murder-trial-wife-daughters/|access-date=November 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917233614/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/14/conn-doctor-takes-witness-stand-murder-trial-wife-daughters/|archive-date=September 17, 2010|url-status=dead}}

In confessing, Hayes said that while raping Hawke-Petit on the living room floor, Komisarjevsky entered and announced that William had escaped. Hayes then strangled Hawke-Petit. Hayes and Komisarjevsky doused her lifeless body and parts of the house, including the daughters' bedrooms and daughters themselves, with gasoline. Investigators would later find the accelerant on the Petit sisters' beds and on the clothing they were wearing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/24/connecticut.murder.trial/index.html|title=Police: Girls killed in home invasion may have been set afire|first=Swetha|last=Iyengar|date=September 24, 201|website=cnn.com|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417075610/https://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/24/connecticut.murder.trial/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Lab-Home-invasion-suspect-had-gas-on-his-clothes-2200920.php|title=Lab: Home invasion suspect had gas on his clothes|first=John|last=Christoffersen|date=October 3, 2011|newspaper=News-Times|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203122145/https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Lab-Home-invasion-suspect-had-gas-on-his-clothes-2200920.php|url-status=live}} Hayes and Komisarjevsky started a fire and fled the scene. Hayley and Michaela both died of smoke inhalation.{{cite news|last=Otis|first=Ginger Adams|title=Ghost of a House: Grieving dad razes site of triple slay'|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/item_WgUjxASqZ95dyQ6a74E8PO|newspaper=New York Post|date=July 13, 2008|access-date=November 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021222434/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/item_WgUjxASqZ95dyQ6a74E8PO|archive-date=October 21, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-petit-cheshire-home-invasion-verdict,0,2650867.story|title=Petit Home Invasion: Hayes Verdict|date=October 6, 2010|work=Hartford Courant|access-date=September 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231101802/http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-petit-cheshire-home-invasion-verdict,0,2650867.story|archive-date=December 31, 2013|url-status=live |last1=Courant |first1=Hartford }} Hayley managed to escape her restraints and run out of her bedroom and into the hallway where she collapsed and died. Her body was found at the top of the staircase. Third- and fourth-degree burns on her feet indicated that she got very close to the fire around the time she died. The medical examiner who performed an autopsy on her could not determine if the burns occurred before or after her death.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/petit-trial-coroner-describes-teen-daughters-death/story?id=14607151|title=Petit Trial: Coroner Describes Teen's Death in Fire|website=ABC News|access-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409103413/https://abcnews.go.com/US/petit-trial-coroner-describes-teen-daughters-death/story?id=14607151|archive-date=April 9, 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/petit-home-invasion-evidence-shows-gas-led-girls/story?id=14610895|title=Petit Home Invasion Evidence Shows Gas Led to Girls' Beds|first=Anne-Marie|last=Dorning|date=September 26, 2011|website=abcnews.go.com|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417125931/https://abcnews.go.com/US/petit-home-invasion-evidence-shows-gas-led-girls/story?id=14610895|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.shorelinetimes.com/news/jury-hears-autopsy-details-doctor-describes-hayley-petit-s-injuries/article_e2aadba6-dca7-5e28-b0bc-6079b8f7079f.html|title=Jury hears autopsy details: Doctor describes Hayley Petit's injuries, death (video)|first=Randall|last=Beach|date=September 27, 2011|website=shorelinetimes.com|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417055156/http://www.shorelinetimes.com/news/jury-hears-autopsy-details-doctor-describes-hayley-petit-s-injuries/article_e2aadba6-dca7-5e28-b0bc-6079b8f7079f.html|url-status=dead}} Michaela's body was found in her bedroom. She was still in her bed, her hands tied to it and her lower body hanging off it.{{cite web|url=https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/09/michaela-petit-sexual-assault-testimony-joshua-komisarjevsky-connecticut-murder/|title=Horrifying Sexual Assault on Michaela Petit, 11, Detailed During Connecticut Murder Trial – Radar Online|date=September 22, 2011|access-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907092818/http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/09/michaela-petit-sexual-assault-testimony-joshua-komisarjevsky-connecticut-murder/|archive-date=September 7, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite book |last=D'Agostino |first=Ryan |title= The Rising: Murder, Heartbreak, and the Power of Human Resilience in an American Town |publisher=Crown Publishers New York |page= 153|isbn=014752170X}} Like with her older sister, Michaela's burns may have occurred while she was still alive.

William had been able to free himself of his restraints, exit the house, and crawl to a neighbor's yard for help. The neighbor initially did not recognize him due to the severity of his injuries. Meanwhile, Hayes and Komisarjevsky fled the scene in the Petit family car. They were immediately spotted by police surveillance, pursued, and arrested one block away after crashing into a police car. The home invasion had lasted seven hours.

Both Hayes and Komisarjevsky confessed to the murders. Detectives testified that Hayes smelled of gasoline throughout her interrogation.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/TheLaw/petit-trial-accused-killer-steven-hayes-confession-lived/story?id=11705976|title=Petit Trial: Accused Killer Confession Relived|first1=Andrea|last1=Canning|first2=Lee|last2=Ferran|date=September 13, 2010|website=abcnews.go.com|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417124504/https://abcnews.go.com/US/TheLaw/petit-trial-accused-killer-steven-hayes-confession-lived/story?id=11705976|url-status=live}} Each assailant claimed that the other was the driving force and mastermind behind the home invasion.{{cite news|last1=Griffin|first1=Alaine|title=Hayes Sentenced to Death|url=https://www.courant.com/2010/11/08/hayes-sentenced-to-death/|access-date=October 15, 2017|work=Hartford Courant|date=November 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125065155/http://articles.courant.com/2010-11-08/news/hc-hayes-petit-home-invasion-death-penalty_1_joshua-komisarjevsky-steven-hayes-hayes-lawyers|archive-date=November 25, 2010|url-status=live}}{{citation|url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/petit_family/index.html|title=Petit Family Killings|work=The New York Times|date=November 8, 2010|access-date=November 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926121404/http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/petit_family/index.html|archive-date=September 26, 2010|url-status=live}} Komisarjevsky also blamed William for the murders. In Komisarjevsky's diary, which was later entered into evidence, he called William a "coward" and claimed that he could have saved his family if he wanted to.{{citation|title=Killer in Connecticut home invasion slay says William Petit was 'coward' who could have saved family|publisher=NYDailyNews.com|date=October 20, 2010|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/10/20/2010-10-20_killer_in_connecticut_home_invasion_slay_says_william_petit_was_coward_who_could.html |access-date=November 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119091122/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/10/20/2010-10-20_killer_in_connecticut_home_invasion_slay_says_william_petit_was_coward_who_could.html |archive-date=November 19, 2010|url-status=live}}{{citation|title=excerpts from the Komisarjevsky journal|work=ABC News|url=https://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/page?id=11925877|access-date=November 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024145650/https://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/page?id=11925877|archive-date=October 24, 2010|url-status=live}}

Hawke-Petit was a nurse and co-director of the health center at Cheshire Academy, a private boarding school in Cheshire. She met her husband at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in 1985, when she was a new oncology nurse and he was a third-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh."[https://archive.triblive.com/news/man-gets-death-in-triple-killing-home-invasion/ Man gets death in triple-killing home invasion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126021637/https://archive.triblive.com/news/man-gets-death-in-triple-killing-home-invasion/|date=January 26, 2021}}." The Hartford Courant at The Pittsburgh Tribune. Tuesday November 9, 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?n=jennifer-lynn-hawke-petit&pid=91512044&fhid=4096|title=Jennifer Lynn Hawke-Petit|website=legacy.com|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-date=March 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323061823/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/hartfordcourant/name/jennifer-hawke-petit-obituary?id=6581788|url-status=live}} She and Dr. Petit married in 1985.

The Petits' elder daughter, Hayley, had just graduated from Miss Porter's School, where she played varsity cross country, basketball, and crew and was a high honor roll student. While at Miss Porter's, she was elected to the senior leadership position of Athletic Association Head. She also won a school award for "exceptional community service".{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?n=hayley-elizabeth-petit&pid=91512042&fhid=4096|title=Hayley Elizabeth Petit|website=legacy.com|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-date=May 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518133956/https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?n=hayley-elizabeth-petit&pid=91512042&fhid=4096|url-status=live}} Hayley was scheduled to attend Dartmouth College where she wanted to study medicine.{{cite news|last1=Wool|first1=Hillary|title=Petit remembered as an athlete, role model|url=http://thedartmouth.com/2007/07/27/news/hayley/|access-date=October 15, 2017|work=The Dartmouth|date=July 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121125455/http://thedartmouth.com/2007/07/27/news/hayley/|archive-date=November 21, 2008}} Hayley had been an active fundraiser for multiple sclerosis research, following her mother's diagnosis with that disease. She captained a Walk MS Team called Hayley's Hope."[https://web.archive.org/web/20090805020805/http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/CTN/donate/hayleys-hope-and-michaelas-miracle-ms-memorial-fund/index.aspx Hayley's Hope and Michaela's Miracle MS Memorial Fund]." National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Retrieved on November 9, 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/dr-william-petit-speaks-out-for-the-first-time/all|title=Dr. William Petit Speaks Out for the First Time|website=oprah.com|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407225804/http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/dr-william-petit-speaks-out-for-the-first-time/all|url-status=live}}

The Petits' younger daughter, Michaela, attended the Chase Collegiate School before her death.{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?n=michaela-rose-petit&pid=91512043&fhid=4096|title=Michaela Rose Petit|website=legacy.com|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-date=May 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518132219/https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?n=michaela-rose-petit&pid=91512043&fhid=4096|url-status=live}}"[https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnlyinAmerica/story?id=3811130&page=1 School Head Runs 'Miles for Michaela'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212085638/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnlyinAmerica/story?id=3811130&page=1 |date=February 12, 2011}}." Good Morning America. November 5, 2007. Retrieved on November 9, 2010. After Hayley left for college, Michaela planned on taking over Hayley's Hope and renaming it "Michaela's Miracle". Michaela often cooked for her family and had done so the evening before the murders.{{cite book |last=D'Agostino |first=Ryan |title= The Rising: Murder, Heartbreak, and the Power of Human Resilience in an American Town |publisher=Crown Publishers New York |page= 66|isbn=014752170X}}

William, the sole survivor of the home invasion, was an endocrinologist in Plainville. He was also the medical director of the Joslin Diabetes Center at Connecticut's Central Hospital. He survived when he escaped via a direct external exit from the basement despite his injuries. William has not returned to his medical practice since the murders, stating his desire to be active in the foundations set up to honor the memory of his family. He contemplated running for Congress as a Republican, but later decided against it.{{cite web|last=Christoffersen|first=John|title=Dr. William Petit 50-50 on Congressional Run|date=October 10, 2013 |url=http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Dr-William-Petit-Considering-Politics-Report-227305581.html|publisher=NBC Connecticut|access-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019051302/http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Dr-William-Petit-Considering-Politics-Report-227305581.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Altimari|first1=Daniela|title=William Petit Decides Against Run For Congress|url=https://www.courant.com/2014/02/05/william-petit-decides-against-run-for-congress-2/|website=Hartford Courant|date=February 5, 2014 |access-date=September 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907074304/http://articles.courant.com/2014-02-05/news/hc-petit-not-running-congress-0206-20140205_1_petit-family-foundation-william-petit-jennifer-hawke-petit|archive-date=September 7, 2014|url-status=live}} In the following election cycle, he successfully campaigned for the Connecticut General Assembly and served as a state representative.{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/politics/dr-william-petit-father-whose-family-was-killed-in-connecticut-home-invasion-elected-to-state-legislature/|title=Dr. William Petit, Father Whose Family Was Killed in Connecticut Home Invasion, Elected to State Legislature|date=November 9, 2016|newspaper=People|access-date=February 24, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225051342/http://people.com/politics/dr-william-petit-father-whose-family-was-killed-in-connecticut-home-invasion-elected-to-state-legislature/|archive-date=February 25, 2017|url-status=live}}

{{Infobox criminal

| name = Linda Hayes

| birth_name = Steven Joseph Hayes

| image_size =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|5|30}}{{cite web|title=Department of Correction Inmate Information Search|url=http://www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us/detailsupv.asp?id_inmt_num=97425|access-date=November 10, 2010|archive-date=July 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723141154/http://www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us/detailsupv.asp?id_inmt_num=97425|url-status=live}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| occupation =

| spouse =

| children = 2

| parents =

| conviction =

| image_name =

| image_caption =

| alias =

| conviction_penalty = Death; commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole

| criminal_status = Incarcerated

| imprisoned = State Correctional Institution – Benner Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania, U.S.

}}

Hayes, born Steven Joseph Hayes,{{Cite podcast |title=Questions Regarding Steven Hayes and the Cheshire Homicides from a Listener |department=15 Minutes With... |host=Joe Tomaso |website=Podcast Addict |url=https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/2450935 |date=March 20, 2021 |access-date=2023-01-04 |quote=Hayes has come out as being transgender and has, in fact, been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and is currently receiving treatment for that. During this interview, you will hear me refer to Hayes as both Steven as well as her preferred name of choice, Linda. |time=00:01:12 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201013928/https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/2450935 |url-status=live }} was first convicted for burglary in 1980 at age 16, and tried as an adult. She was paroled in 1982 but violated her parole conditions seven weeks later. During the time between this incident and the Cheshire murders, Hayes was arrested nearly 30 times and spent most of this time incarcerated.{{cite news|last1=Cowan|first1=Alison Leigh|last2=Stuart|first2=Christine|title=Suspect in Connecticut Killings Left Long Trail of Lawbreaking|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/04/nyregion/04slay.html|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=August 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016071224/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/04/nyregion/04slay.html|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}} Hayes' last arrest before the Cheshire murders was in 2004 after she smashed a car window with a rock and stole a woman's purse. She was paroled in 2006 and was sent to the Silliman halfway house where she met Komisarjevsky.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hayesprofile1005-20101016-story.html|title=Steven Hayes: A Life In And Out Of Prison|first=Dave|last=Altmari|date=October 17, 2010|website=courant.com|access-date=April 4, 2020|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925183611/http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hayesprofile1005-20101016-story.html|url-status=dead}}

Hayes was found guilty on 16 of 17 counts related to the Cheshire murders on October 5, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/connecticut-man-could-face-death-after-jury-convicts-him-in-deadly-home-invasion/|title=Connecticut Man Could Face Death After Jury Convicts Him in Deadly Home Invasion|work=Fox News|date=October 5, 2010|access-date=September 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204115832/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/10/05/connecticut-man-face-death-jury-convicts-deadly-home-invasion/|archive-date=February 4, 2015|url-status=live}} On November 8, 2010, the jury returned with a recommendation for her to be executed.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/steven-hayes-sentenced-death-role-connecticut-home-invasion/story?id=12087221|title=Steven Hayes Sentenced to Death for the Deadly Conn. Home Invasion|work=ABC News|access-date=September 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010201144/https://abcnews.go.com/US/steven-hayes-sentenced-death-role-connecticut-home-invasion/story?id=12087221|archive-date=October 10, 2014|url-status=live}} Hayes was formally sentenced to death by Superior Court Judge Jon C. Blue on December 2, 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/conn-home-invasion-steven-hayes-sentenced-to-death-for-triple-murder/|title=Conn. Home Invasion: Steven Hayes Sentenced to Death for Triple Murder|first=Edecio|last=Martinez|date=December 2, 2010|website=cbsnews.com|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203123423/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/conn-home-invasion-steven-hayes-sentenced-to-death-for-triple-murder/|url-status=live}}

Hayes was an inmate of the Connecticut Department of Correction. Subsequent to sentencing for the Petit murders, and up until August 16, 2016 (when she was transferred to a correctional facility in Pennsylvania as part of an interstate corrections compact), she was incarcerated in the Northern Correctional Institution,"[http://www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us/detailsupv.asp?id_inmt_num=97425 Hayes, Steven Joseph] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723141154/http://www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us/detailsupv.asp?id_inmt_num=97425 |date=July 23, 2011 }}." Connecticut Department of Correction. Retrieved on November 10, 2010. which housed the state's death row for men, in Somers, Connecticut."[https://portal.ct.gov/DOC/Facility/Northern-CI Northern Correctional Institution] ." Connecticut Department of Correction. Retrieved on August 16, 2010. The method of execution employed by Connecticut was lethal injection,Death Penalty For Rape And Murder Of Family, Sky News, September 17, 2014 and the state execution chamber was located in the Osborn Correctional Institution in Somers."[https://web.archive.org/web/20041031162741/http://www.ct.gov/doc/lib/doc/pdf/ad/ad0615.pdf Administration of Capital Punishment Directive Number 6.15] ." Connecticut Department of Correction. October 19, 2004. 1/9. Retrieved on August 16, 2010. "Execution Area. A series of four (4) contiguous rooms in the Osborn Correctional Institution {{sic|comprised |hide=y|of}} the..." This sentence became a life sentence when the Connecticut Supreme Court vacated the sentence in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/william-petit-dad-murdered-family-reacts-death-penalty-ruling-n409511|title=William Petit, Dad of Murdered Family, Reacts to Connecticut Death Penalty Ruling|author=Tracy Connor|work=NBC News|date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=August 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815212037/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/william-petit-dad-murdered-family-reacts-death-penalty-ruling-n409511|archive-date=August 15, 2015|url-status=live}}

In an interview in October 2019, Hayes stated she was transgender and was undergoing hormone therapy as part of her gender transition while incarcerated.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/steven-hayes-cheshire-transgender.html|title=Connecticut Home Invasion Convict Is Undergoing Gender Transition in Prison|first=Neil|last=Vigdor|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 31, 2019|access-date=November 5, 2019|archive-date=November 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105032630/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/steven-hayes-cheshire-transgender.html|url-status=live}} She said she had been diagnosed with a gender identity disorder at 16, but never treated.

{{Infobox criminal

| name = Joshua Andrew Komisarjevsky

| image_size =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|8|10}}{{cite web|title=Komisarjevsky, Joshua A - CT Inmate info|url=http://www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us/detailsupv.asp?id_inmt_num=299047|access-date=November 10, 2010|archive-date=July 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723141224/http://www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us/detailsupv.asp?id_inmt_num=299047|url-status=live}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| conviction_status = Incarcerated

| children = 1

| conviction =

| image_name =

| image_caption =

| alias =

| conviction_penalty = Death; commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole

| imprisoned = State Correctional Institution – Mahanoy, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

}}

Komisarjevsky, originally from Torrington,{{Cite news |last=Citizen |first=Rick Thomason, Register |date=2011-12-12 |title=Was Komisarjevsky's fate scripted from the moment he was born? |url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Was-Komisarjevsky-s-fate-scripted-from-the-moment-11577913.php |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=New Haven Register |language=en-US |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323061822/https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Was-Komisarjevsky-s-fate-scripted-from-the-moment-11577913.php |url-status=live }} was Hayes's co-conspirator in the home invasion and murders. He was born to a 16-year-old girl impregnated by a mechanic who was "barely out of his teens", according to adoption officials.Kovner, Josh (October 26, 2011). [https://www.courant.com/2011/10/26/komisarjevskys-father-a-miracle-baby-satanic-activities/ Komisarjevsky's Father: 'A Miracle' Baby, 'Satanic Activities'] . courant.com. Retrieved April 23, 2015. He was adopted{{cite news|last1=Cowan|first1=Alison Leigh|title=Path to Parole Becomes Issue in Murder Case|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/nyregion/31slay.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=July 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016070321/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/nyregion/31slay.html?pagewanted=all|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}} by Benedict Komisarjevsky, the son of theatrical director Theodore Komisarjevsky and dancer Ernestine Stodelle, and his wife Jude (née Motkya).{{cite news|last1=Fernandez|first1=Manny|last2=Cowan|first2=Alison Leigh|title=When Horror Came to a Connecticut Family|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/07/nyregion/07slay.html?pagewanted=3&_r=0|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=August 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016070958/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/07/nyregion/07slay.html?pagewanted=3&_r=0|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}} He was sexually abused as a child, also burned and tortured.{{Cite web |date=2011-10-05 |title=Psychologist Testifies Joshua Komisarjevsky Was Sexually Abused As A Child - CBS New York |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/psychologist-testifies-joshua-komisarjevsky-was-sexually-abused-as-a-child/ |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

In the early 1990s, Komisarjevsky's sister accused him of sexually assaulting her. He was convicted, and, during the penalty phase of his trial, Komisarjevsky's father conceded that it was probably true. Komisarjevsky committed his first burglary when he was 14. In 2002, he was arrested for 18 home invasions. Komisarjevsky's defense attorney at the time says that Komisarjevsky told him about every burglary he committed in perfect detail. Komisarjevsky told his attorney that, after robbing the houses, he would go to the rooms where the occupants were sleeping and listen to them breathe. He said he did this because he enjoyed the feeling of invading people's homes and violating their security. Komisarjevsky was convicted of 12 counts of burglary in December 2002. He was sentenced to nine years in prison with six years of special parole. During his sentencing hearing, Judge James Bentivegna described Komisarjevsky as a "calculated, cold-blooded predator".{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2011/09/19/justice/connecticut-home-invasion-accused/index.html|title=Petit murder suspect had long, troubled history of drugs, crime|first=Swetha|last=Iyengar|date=September 19, 2011|website=cnn.com|access-date=April 4, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417075641/https://www.cnn.com/2011/09/19/justice/connecticut-home-invasion-accused/index.html|url-status=live}} Komisarjevsky was paroled in April 2007. Under Connecticut law, prosecutors were supposed to send the parole board a transcript of the sentencing proceeding. But the parole board that released Komisarjevsky never received the transcript and was not aware of all the details regarding his case. After being paroled, Komisarjevsky stayed at the Silliman halfway house, where he met Hayes.

Komisarjevsky remained incarcerated at the Walker Reception Center"[http://www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us/detailsupv.asp?id_inmt_num=299047 Komisarjevsky, Joshua A] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723141224/http://www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us/detailsupv.asp?id_inmt_num=299047 |date=July 23, 2011 }}." Connecticut Department of Correction. Retrieved on November 10, 2010. in lieu of a $15 million bond{{citation|title=Two arrests announced in Cheshire arson/homicide|url=http://www.ct.gov/dps/cwp/view.asp?Q=386822&A=11|publisher=Connecticut Department of Public Safety|date=July 24, 2007|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111152134/http://www.ct.gov/dps/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=386822|archive-date=November 11, 2010|url-status=dead}} until his conviction. His trial began on September 19, 2011, and on October 13, 2011, he was convicted on all 17 counts.{{cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-komisarjevsky-day1-0920-20110919,0,4211871.story |title=Tense Events Detailed As Second Cheshire Home Invasion Case Begins |work=Hartford Courant |first=Alaine |last=Griffin |date=September 19, 2011 |access-date=September 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721224426/http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-komisarjevsky-day1-0920-20110919,0,4211871.story |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/joshua-komisarjevsky-guilty-petit-connecticut-home-invasion-case/story?id=14728687|title=Joshua Komisarjevsky Guilty in Connecticut Home Invasion Case|first=Anne-Marie|last=Dorning|date=October 13, 2011|website=abcnews.go.com|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303035712/https://abcnews.go.com/US/joshua-komisarjevsky-guilty-petit-connecticut-home-invasion-case/story?id=14728687|url-status=live}} On December 9, 2011, the jury recommended the death penalty.{{cite news |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-12-09/justice/justice_connecticut-home-invasion-case_1_william-petit-judge-jon-blue-hayes-and-komisarjevsky?_s=PM:JUSTICE |title=Jury recommends death in Connecticut home invasion case |work=CNN |date=December 9, 2011 |access-date=January 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204044953/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-12-09/justice/justice_connecticut-home-invasion-case_1_william-petit-judge-jon-blue-hayes-and-komisarjevsky?_s=PM%3AJUSTICE |archive-date=February 4, 2012 }} On January 27, 2012, Judge Jon Blue sentenced Komisarjevsky to death by lethal injection. His sentence also was reduced to a life sentence when the Connecticut Supreme Court vacated their sentence in 2015.

As of August 16, 2016, both Hayes and Komisarjevsky were transferred to separate prison facilities in Pennsylvania to serve their sentences. According to Connecticut state prison officials, the transfer was done as part of an interstate corrections compact due to reasons pertaining to "safety and security."{{cite news|last1=Eaton-Robb|first1=Pat|title=Cheshire home invasion killers Komisarjevsky, Hayes moved to Pennsylvania|url=http://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Cheshire-home-invasion-killers-Komisarjevsky-11323607.php|access-date=October 15, 2017|work=New Haven Register|agency=Associated Press|date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017010321/http://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Cheshire-home-invasion-killers-Komisarjevsky-11323607.php|archive-date=October 17, 2017|url-status=live}} On August 18, after being transferred, Komisarjevsky attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself.

Komisarjevsky has sought a retrial. Prior to the first trial, his attorneys were not provided with recordings that he says could have helped his case, as they were destroyed due to a lightning strike in 2010. Backups were later found in 2014 at Cheshire Town Hall. Komisarjevsky's attorneys argued that the recordings could have helped bolster their argument that the police were inadequate in their response and therefore raise questions about the credibility of their testimony.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/outreach/awareness-months/komisarjevsky-lawyers-make-a-bid-for-a-new-trial/520-75cb2a8b-2624-47cb-9cc6-164698053188|title=Judge: Komisarjevsky's defense not given evidence in Cheshire home invasion case|first=Sean|last=Pragano|date=February 23, 2016|website=fox61.com|access-date=April 4, 2020|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203122145/https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/outreach/awareness-months/komisarjevsky-lawyers-make-a-bid-for-a-new-trial/520-75cb2a8b-2624-47cb-9cc6-164698053188|url-status=live}} Komisarjevsky also argued that he did not receive a fair trial due to the location of the trial. Judge Jon Blue had denied a request by defense attorneys for the trial to be moved from New Haven to Stamford, as the trial venue had already been changed once because it was so notorious throughout the region. Komisarjevsky contends there was so much prejudice against him in New Haven that it was not possible for him to receive a fair trial there. In September 2019, it was revealed that the case would be heard by the Connecticut Supreme Court. The Court heard oral arguments in October 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/CT-Supreme-Court-hears-Cheshire-killer-14542277.php|title=CT Supreme Court hears Cheshire killer Komisarjevsky's argument for new trial|first=Randall|last=Beach|date=October 17, 2019|website=nhregister.com|access-date=April 4, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209190020/https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/CT-Supreme-Court-hears-Cheshire-killer-14542277.php|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Cheshire-triple-killer-s-request-for-new-trial-14445872.php|title=Cheshire triple killer's request for new trial headed to CT Supreme Court|first=Register|last=Staff|date=September 17, 2019|website=New Haven Register|access-date=November 5, 2019|archive-date=November 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105235200/https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Cheshire-triple-killer-s-request-for-new-trial-14445872.php|url-status=live}} On April 12, 2021 the Connecticut Supreme Court rejected Komisarjevsky's appeal in a 7-0 decision.{{cite news|work=Yahoo! News|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/court-rejects-appeal-killer-3-135007408.html|title=Court rejects appeal of killer of 3 in home invasion|date=2021-04-13|access-date=2021-04-14|archive-date=April 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414105132/https://www.yahoo.com/news/court-rejects-appeal-killer-3-135007408.html|url-status=live}} The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Komisarjevsky's appeal of the Connecticut Supreme Court's decision.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/u-s-supreme-court-declines-to-hear-komisarjevsky-appeal-in-2007-cheshire-home-invasion/2668057/|title=U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Komisarjevsky Appeal in 2007 Cheshire Home Invasion|date=December 8, 2021|website=nbcconnecticut.com|access-date=September 20, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920205258/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/u-s-supreme-court-declines-to-hear-komisarjevsky-appeal-in-2007-cheshire-home-invasion/2668057/|url-status=live}}

{{anchor|Trial of Hayes}}

Hayes's trial began on September 13, 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/steven-hayes-trial-begins-what-to-expect/1850179/|title=Steven Hayes' Trial Begins, What to Expect|first=Diana|last=Perez|date=September 13, 2010|website=nbcconnecticut.com|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126102537/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/steven-hayes-trial-begins-what-to-expect/1850179/|url-status=live}} The jury was composed of seven women and five men.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/conn-home-invasion-jury-chooses-death-penalty-for-steven-hayes/|title=Conn. Home Invasion: Jury Chooses Death Penalty for Steven Hayes|first=Edecio|last=Martinez|date=November 8, 2010|website=cbsnews.com|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410203944/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/conn-home-invasion-jury-chooses-death-penalty-for-steven-hayes/|url-status=live}} Hayes's defense attorneys argued that Komisarjevsky was the mastermind behind the home invasion and that he was responsible for escalating the violent nature of the crime at every critical point. Prosecutors argued that both perpetrators shared responsibility. Following the completion of the trial, the jury deliberated for about five hours and reached guilty verdicts on October 5.

The sentencing phase of the trial began on October 18, 2010,{{Cite web|url=http://connecticut.news12.com/story/34833431/death-penalty-phase-begins-in-hayes-trial|title=Death penalty phase begins in Hayes trial|date=October 18, 2010|website=connecticut.news12.com|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410204525/http://connecticut.news12.com/story/34833431/death-penalty-phase-begins-in-hayes-trial|url-status=live}} during which the jurors had to decide if Hayes should be executed or imprisoned for life. Deliberations began on November 5. The first day of deliberations ended with the jury split over whether to recommend life in prison or death. The second day of these deliberations began on November 6.{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/06/connecticut.home.invasion.penalty/index.html?hpt=T2 | work=CNN | title=Deliberations to resume Sunday in Connecticut home invasion case | date=November 6, 2010 | access-date=November 6, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108215137/http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/06/connecticut.home.invasion.penalty/index.html?hpt=T2 | archive-date=November 8, 2012 | url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/jury-begins-day-deliberations-steven-hayes-trial/story?id=12075100|title=Jury Begins Day Two of Deliberations in Steven Hayes Trial – ABC News|author=ABC News|work=ABC News|access-date=August 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131230947/https://abcnews.go.com/US/jury-begins-day-deliberations-steven-hayes-trial/story?id=12075100|archive-date=January 31, 2016|url-status=live}} Defense attorney Thomas Ullman told the jury that a sentence of life in prison would be the harshest possible punishment for his client Hayes, because she was so tormented by her crimes and would be isolated in prison. "Life in prison without the possibility of release is the harshest penalty," Ullman said. "It is a fate worse than death. If you want to end [her] misery, put [her] to death. If you want [her] to suffer and carry that burden forever, the guilt, shame, and humiliation, sentence [her] to life without the possibility of release."

On November 8, 2010, the jury returned with a recommendation that Hayes be executed.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/steven-hayes-sentenced-death-role-connecticut-home-invasion/story?id=12087221&page=2|title=Steven Hayes Smiles When Sentenced to Death for the Deadly Home Invasion|work=ABC News|access-date=September 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015120804/https://abcnews.go.com/US/steven-hayes-sentenced-death-role-connecticut-home-invasion/story?id=12087221&page=2|archive-date=October 15, 2014|url-status=live}} The jury recommended a death sentence on each of the six capital felony counts for which Hayes was convicted.{{cite web|url=http://www.aolnews.com/crime/article/steven-hayes-condemed-to-die-in-fatal-connecticut-home-invasion/19707576?icid=maing%7Cmain5%7C1%7Clink2%7C24161|title=Conn. Man Condemned to Die for Fatal Home Invasion|work=AOL.com|access-date=September 17, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211152538/http://www.aolnews.com/crime/article/steven-hayes-condemed-to-die-in-fatal-connecticut-home-invasion/19707576?icid=maing%7Cmain5%7C1%7Clink2%7C24161|archive-date=December 11, 2010}} In the sentencing phase, the jury had deliberated for about 17 hours, over the course of four days before reaching a decision. Jurors later reported that they deliberated over a long period of time so that they could weigh all the evidence properly.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/conn-home-invasion-jurors-explain-why-steven-hayes-death-penalty-decision-took-four-days/|title=Conn. Home Invasion Jurors Explain Why Steven Hayes Death Penalty Decision Took Four Days|first=Edecio|last=Martinez|date=November 9, 2010|website=cbsnews.com|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410211016/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/conn-home-invasion-jurors-explain-why-steven-hayes-death-penalty-decision-took-four-days/|url-status=live}}

Hayes had attempted to negotiate a life sentence in a plea bargain but prosecutors chose to take the case to trial so that she could get the death penalty.{{citation|title=Conn. home invasion break-in 'got out of control'|newspaper=boston.com|date=September 22, 2010|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/09/22/testimony_resumes_in_conn_home_invasion_trial/|access-date=November 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924233149/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/09/22/testimony_resumes_in_conn_home_invasion_trial/|archive-date=September 24, 2010|url-status=live|last1=Christoffersen|first1=John}} After the verdict, her defense attorney stated: "Hayes smiled upon hearing the jury's recommendation of a death sentence." She then added: "[Hayes] is thrilled. That's what [she]'s wanted all along."{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40071693|title=Killer of mom, 2 daughters gets death sentence|work=NBC News|date=November 8, 2010|access-date=September 17, 2014|archive-date=March 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323061823/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40071693|url-status=live}} During a press conference after the verdict, Dr. Petit stated: "We all know that God will be the final arbiter and I think the defendant faces far more serious punishments from the Lord than [she] can ever face from mankind." He also spoke about his family, saying: "Michaela was an 11-year-old little girl tortured and killed in her own bedroom, surrounded by stuffed animals. Hayley had a great future. She was a strong and courageous person, and Jennifer helped so many kids."

For the first time in state history, the Connecticut state judicial branch offered post-traumatic stress assistance to jurors, who served for two months on the triple-murder trial, because they had been required to look at disturbing images and hear grisly testimony.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/11/10/news/doc4cda7a258ba07946812196.txt|title=Conn. judicial branch offers Hayes jurors post-trauma assistance|access-date=September 17, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910172612/http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/11/10/news/doc4cda7a258ba07946812196.txt|archive-date=September 10, 2012}}

On December 2, 2010, Hayes apologized for the pain and suffering she had caused the Petit family and added that: "Death for me will be a welcome relief and I hope it will bring some peace and comfort to those who I have hurt so much."{{cite web|url=http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-hayes-statement-1203-20101130,0,7354278.story|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730030828/http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-hayes-statement-1203-20101130,0,7354278.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 30, 2012|title=Steven Hayes' Statement|work=Hartford Courant|access-date=September 17, 2014}} Judge Jon Blue formally imposed six death sentences, one for each of the capital charges; Blue then added a sentence of 106 years for other crimes Hayes committed during the home invasion, including kidnapping, burglary, and assault, before finishing with, "This is a terrible sentence, but is, in truth, a sentence you wrote for yourself in flames. May God have mercy on your soul."{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/connecticut-home-invasion-killer-found-unresponsive-in-cell/|title=Conn. home invasion killer found unresponsive in cell|date=March 11, 2017|website=cbsnews.com|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410214154/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/connecticut-home-invasion-killer-found-unresponsive-in-cell/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Steven Hayes Sentenced to Death|url=http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-hayes-sentenced-to-death-1203-20101130,0,2840955.story|publisher=Courant.com|date=December 2, 2010|author=Alaine Griffin|access-date=December 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110328082857/http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-hayes-sentenced-to-death-1203-20101130,0,2840955.story|archive-date=March 28, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Steven Hayes sentenced to death in Connecticut home invasion, murders of mom, daughters of Dr. Petit|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/12/02/2010-12-02_steven_hayes_sentenced_to_death_in_connecticut_home_invasion_murders_of_mom_daug.html|newspaper=NYDailyNews.com|date=December 2, 2010|author=Aliyah Shahid|location=New York|access-date=December 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128115253/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/12/02/2010-12-02_steven_hayes_sentenced_to_death_in_connecticut_home_invasion_murders_of_mom_daug.html|archive-date=January 28, 2011|url-status=live}} The judge also gave Hayes an official execution date of May 27, 2011; Blue said the date was a formality, because if Hayes appealed her case, her execution could be delayed for decades.{{cite news|title=Death sentence handed down in Petit home invasion case|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/02/connecticut.home.invasion/index.html?hpt=T2|access-date=October 15, 2017|work=CNN|date=December 2, 2010|quote=Blue gave Hayes an official execution date of May 27, 2011. However, that date is a formality, he acknowledged. In reality, unless Hayes chooses to waive some or all of his appeals, it could be decades before he is put to death.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016070439/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/02/connecticut.home.invasion/index.html?hpt=T2|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}} Her death sentence became a life sentence in August 2015 when the state abolished capital punishment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/prison-says-joshua-komisarjevsky-tried-committing-suicide/61952/|title=Prison Says Joshua Komisarjevsky Tried Committing Suicide|date=August 25, 2016|website=nbcconnecticut.com|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-date=April 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415114825/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/prison-says-joshua-komisarjevsky-tried-committing-suicide/61952/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Italiano|first1=Laura|title=Death-row inmates guilty of gruesome home invasion will live|url=https://nypost.com/2015/08/14/death-row-inmates-guilty-of-gruesome-home-invasion-will-live/|access-date=October 15, 2017|work=New York Post|date=August 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016070801/http://nypost.com/2015/08/14/death-row-inmates-guilty-of-gruesome-home-invasion-will-live/|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}}

{{anchor|Trial of Komisarjevsky}}

Komisarjevsky's attorneys offered for him to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence, but prosecutors took the case to trial in order to give him the death penalty. Komisarjevsky's trial began on September 19, 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/petit-murder-trial-starts-911-call-bank-manager/story?id=14556175|title=Petit Murder Trial II Starts With Chilling 911 Call From Bank Manager|first1=Anne-Marie|last1=Dorning|first2=Gianna|last2=Toboni|date=September 19, 2011|website=abcnews.go.com|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417135047/https://abcnews.go.com/US/petit-murder-trial-starts-911-call-bank-manager/story?id=14556175|url-status=live}} His attorneys blamed Hayes for the murders, arguing that she was the criminal mastermind, while their client was a confused and easily led man who did not intend to kill anyone.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/joshua-komisarjevsky-death-sentence-massacre-survivor-peace/story?id=15097270|title=Joshua Komisarjevsky's Death Sentence Gives Massacre Survivor Peace|first=Anne-Marie|last=Dorning|date=December 9, 2011|website=abcnews.go.com|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411105733/https://abcnews.go.com/US/joshua-komisarjevsky-death-sentence-massacre-survivor-peace/story?id=15097270|url-status=live}}

Komisarjevsky was found guilty on October 13, 2011. On December 9, 2011, the jury recommended the death penalty. During the hearing, Judge Blue said "This is a terrible sentence, but it's one you wrote for yourself with deeds of unimaginable horror and savagery."{{Cite web|url=https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Komisarjevsky-formally-sentenced-to-death-for-11826070.php|title=Komisarjevsky formally sentenced to death for Cheshire home invasion, murders|first=Randall|last=Beach|date=January 27, 2012|website=middletownpress.com|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203122148/https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Komisarjevsky-formally-sentenced-to-death-for-11826070.php|url-status=live}} Komisarjevsky made a statement during the sentencing hearing. He spoke about the shame, disappointment, and hurt he had caused, saying: "I will never find peace within. My life will be a continuation of the hurt I caused. The clock is now ticking and I owe a debt I cannot repay."{{cite news|title=Second Conn. home invasion killer is sentenced to death|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/01/27/10251592-second-conn-home-invasion-killer-is-sentenced-to-death|publisher=U.S. News on MSNBC.com|date=January 27, 2012|access-date=January 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510112544/http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/01/27/10251592-second-conn-home-invasion-killer-is-sentenced-to-death|archive-date=May 10, 2013|url-status=live}} Though he acknowledged taking part in the crime, he insisted that he did not intend to kill anyone, saying: "Millions have judged me guilty of capital offenses I did not commit. I did not intend for those women to die. They were never supposed to lose their lives. I don't need twelve people to tell me what I'm guilty or not guilty of. None of them were there that morning. I know my responsibilities. I will bear them as I should. What I cannot do is claim responsibility for the actions of another." He spoke about how the trial affected him, saying that he had become "quite comfortable in the face of hatred and bigotry" and said that the jury who recommended the death penalty for him "believed me so worthless even my very existence is deemed intolerable." He also said that forgiveness was not his to have, and that he needed to forgive his worst enemy – himself.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/cheshire-home-invasion-killer-to-speak-at-sentencing/1913811/|title=Komisarjevsky Sentenced to Death|date=January 27, 2012|website=nbcconnecticut.com|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410222840/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/cheshire-home-invasion-killer-to-speak-at-sentencing/1913811/|url-status=live}} During his victim impact statement, Dr. Petit described the crime as his personal holocaust and said "I have a difficult time sleeping and trusting anymore. I hope to continue to honor my family. I push forward in the hope that good will overcome evil."

Blue set July 20, 2012, as Komisarjevsky's execution date.{{cite news|title=Judge Sentences Komisarjevsky To Death|url=http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-komisarjevsky-sentenced-0128-20120127,0,1199254.story|publisher=Courant.com|date=January 27, 2012|access-date=January 27, 2012|last=Griffin|first=Alaine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302190257/http://www.courant.com/community/cheshire/cheshire-home-invasion/hc-komisarjevsky-sentenced-0128-20120127,0,1199254.story|archive-date=March 2, 2012|url-status=dead}} As with Hayes, Komisarjevsky's death sentence was turned into a life sentence in August 2015.

{{Main|Capital punishment in Connecticut}}

The Cheshire home invasion murders had a significant impact on Connecticut's laws regarding the death penalty and on the debate surrounding the topic. The case motivated proponents of Connecticut's death penalty and was cited as a reason that any repeal of the capital punishment in the state should not extend to those already on death row. The Hartford Courant listed the Cheshire murders and the subsequent death penalty repeal as some of the top stories that shaped the 2010s. "The Cheshire home invasion murders and the subsequent repeal of the death penalty dominated the political and criminal justice landscapes in Connecticut for the first half of the decade." The murders halted momentum to end the state's death penalty and ultimately delayed that abolition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2012/01/joshua_komisarjevsky_sentenced.html|title=Joshua Komisarjevsky sentenced to death in home invasion, Petit family slayings in Cheshire, Conn.|date=January 27, 2012|website=masslive.com|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-date=April 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415131826/https://www.masslive.com/news/2012/01/joshua_komisarjevsky_sentenced.html|url-status=live}}

In 2009, the Connecticut General Assembly sent legislation to abolish the state's death penalty to Governor M. Jodi Rell ostensibly to be signed into law. However, on June 5, 2009, Rell vetoed the bill instead and cited the Cheshire murders as an exemplary reason for doing so.{{citation|title=Governor Rell Vetoes HB 6578, An Act Concerning the Penalty for a Capital Felony|publisher=CT.gov State of Connecticut|url=http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3675&Q=441204|date=June 5, 2009|access-date=November 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019045626/http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3675&Q=441204|archive-date=October 19, 2010|url-status=dead}} On November 8, 2010, Rell issued the following statement regarding the jury's recommendation of a sentence of death for Hayes:

{{blockquote|The crimes that were committed on that brutal July night were so far out of the range of normal understanding that now, more than three years later, we still find it difficult to accept that they happened in one of our communities. I have long believed that there are certain crimes so heinous, so depraved, that society is best served by imposing the ultimate sanction on the criminal. [Hayes] stands convicted of such crimes – and today the jury has recommended that [Hayes] should be subjected to the death penalty. I agree.{{Cite web|title=Statement of Governor M. Jodi Rell on Verdict in Trial of Steven Hayes|date=October 5, 2010|url=https://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3872&Q=466696|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126021635/https://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3872&Q=466696|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Statement-of-Gov-Rell-on-Hayes-decision-11603675.php|title=Statement of Gov. Rell on Hayes decision|date=November 8, 2010|website=nhregister.com|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411153017/https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Statement-of-Gov-Rell-on-Hayes-decision-11603675.php|url-status=live}}}}

On April 11, 2012, the Connecticut House of Representatives voted to repeal capital punishment for future cases (leaving past death sentences in place). The Connecticut Senate had already voted for the bill, and on April 25 Governor Dan Malloy signed the bill into law.{{cite news|last1=Applebome|first1=Peter|title=Death Penalty Repeal Goes to Connecticut Governor|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/12/nyregion/connecticut-house-votes-to-repeal-death-penalty.html|access-date=October 15, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=April 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016122102/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/12/nyregion/connecticut-house-votes-to-repeal-death-penalty.html|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/04/25/justice/connecticut-death-penalty-law-repealed/index.html|title=Connecticut becomes 17th state to abolish death penalty|first=David|last=Ariosto|date=April 25, 2012|website=cnn.com|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411153630/https://www.cnn.com/2012/04/25/justice/connecticut-death-penalty-law-repealed/index.html|url-status=live}} In August 2015, the Connecticut Supreme Court declared all capital punishment inconsistent with the state constitution, effectively commuting the killers' sentences to life imprisonment.

The home invasion murders led to immediate calls for reforms to Connecticut's criminal justice system. On July 31, 2007, Governor Rell ordered electronic monitoring of paroled burglars. On September 21, she banned parole for violent offenders and ordered a review of convicts already on parole.

On July 31, Governor Rell called for a special session to consider tougher crime legislation and on August 31 she appointed a task force to examine Connecticut's criminal justice system. On January 25, 2008, Rell signed a 43-page bipartisan crime bill. Home invasion became a new class of crime which could result in a prison sentence of up to 25 years. The bill also paid for an upgrade to computer systems for law enforcement agencies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-petit-cheshire-home-invasion-timeline-htmlstory.html|title=Timeline: Deadly Cheshire Home Invasion|date=July 16, 2013|website=courant.com|access-date=April 11, 2020|archive-date=April 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411160501/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-petit-cheshire-home-invasion-timeline-htmlstory.html|url-status=live}}

In 2007, John Carpenter, an employee of the Chase Collegiate School, ran the New York City Marathon, raising $8,554 for the "Miles for Michaela" campaign – a scholarship benefit.{{cite news|title=Find out more about Miles for Michaela|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/popup?id=3810344|access-date=October 15, 2017|work=ABC News|date=November 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016122200/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/popup?id=3810344|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}} The same year, Dr. Petit established the Michaela Rose Petit '14 Scholarship Fund of the Chase Collegiate School."[http://www.chasecollegiate.org/page.cfm?p=1800 Endowed Funds at Chase Collegiate School] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725161620/http://www.chasecollegiate.org/page.cfm?p=1800 |date=July 25, 2011 }}." Chase Collegiate School. Retrieved on November 9, 2010. He also established the Hayley's Hope & Michaela's Miracle MS Memorial Fund.

On January 6, 2008, over 130,000 luminaria candles were lit in front of thousands of homes across Cheshire in "Cheshire Lights of Hope", a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis and a tribute to the Petit family. Founded by a local couple, Don and Jenifer Walsh, the event raised over $100,000 for Hayley's Hope and Michaela's Miracle Memorial funds.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc30.com/news/14988462/detail.html |title=NBC Connecticut Local News |work=NBC Connecticut |access-date=September 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907100527/http://www.nbc30.com/news/14988462/detail.html |archive-date=September 7, 2008 }}

The murders and their aftermath were featured on the news magazine show Dateline NBC, in a segment titled "The Family on Sorghum Mill Drive",{{cite web|url=http://insidedateline.nbcnews.com/_news/2010/10/07/5251978-oct-8-the-mystery-of-horseshoe-drive-and-revisiting-the-family-on-sorghum-mill-drive|title=Oct. 8: 'The Mystery of Horseshoe Drive' and revisiting 'The Family on Sorghum Mill Drive'|author=Inside Dateline|date=August 13, 2015|work=NBC News|access-date=August 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817225400/http://insidedateline.nbcnews.com/_news/2010/10/07/5251978-oct-8-the-mystery-of-horseshoe-drive-and-revisiting-the-family-on-sorghum-mill-drive|archive-date=August 17, 2015|url-status=live}} and on December 9, 2010, William Petit appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in a full-hour episode about the murders of his family and the work of the Petit Family Foundation.Harpo Productions, Inc. "[http://www.oprah.com/showinfo/Dr-William-Petit-on-the-Unspeakable-Tragedy-in-Connecticut In his first interview: Grieving husband and father Dr. William Petit on the unspeakable tragedy in Connecticut] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207062750/http://www.oprah.com/showinfo/Dr-William-Petit-on-the-Unspeakable-Tragedy-in-Connecticut |date=December 7, 2010 }}." The Oprah Winfrey Show. December 9, 2010. Retrieved on May 18, 2011.

On August 5, 2012, Petit married Christine Paluf and moved to Farmington, Connecticut. He met her when she was volunteering with the Petit Family Foundation.{{cite news|title=Dr. William Petit, victim of Cheshire home invasion, remarries|url=http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2012/08/06/news/doc501ff564d4a7f214714500.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130723175255/http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2012/08/06/news/doc501ff564d4a7f214714500.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 23, 2013|access-date=July 23, 2013|newspaper=The New Haven Register|date=August 6, 2012}}

HBO broadcast a documentary by filmmaker David Heilbroner called The Cheshire Murders about the murders on July 22, 2013.{{cite news|last=Amarante|first=Joe|title=Cheshire to relive painful time in HBO film|url=http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2013/07/11/opinion/doc51df398c1b6e4022610658.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130714002234/http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2013/07/11/opinion/doc51df398c1b6e4022610658.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2013|access-date=July 14, 2013|newspaper=The New Haven Register|date=July 11, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Stuever|first=Hank|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/hbos-the-cheshire-murders-explores-the-shades-of-gray-in-an-open-shut-case/2013/07/21/c086abbc-ed88-11e2-a1f9-ea873b7e0424_story.html|title=HBO's The Cheshire Murders Explores the Shades of Gray in an Open-Shut Case|newspaper=Washington Post|date=July 21, 2013|access-date=October 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830151544/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/hbos-the-cheshire-murders-explores-the-shades-of-gray-in-an-open-shut-case/2013/07/21/c086abbc-ed88-11e2-a1f9-ea873b7e0424_story.html|archive-date=August 30, 2017|url-status=live}} On August 1, 2013, Petit told station WFSB that he and Paluf were expecting a child together.{{cite web |url=http://www.wfsb.com/global/category.asp?c=208507&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9155625 |title=Video Landing Page – WFSB 3 Connecticut |publisher=Wfsb.com |date=January 2, 2013 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202214058/http://www.wfsb.com/global/category.asp?c=208507&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9155625 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=live }} The baby, who was revealed to be a boy and named William Petit III, was born on November 28, 2013.{{cite web |last=Fields |first=Liz |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/11/home-invasion-survivor-william-petit-welcomes-baby-in-time-for-thanksgiving/ |title=Home Invasion Survivor William Petit Welcomes Baby in Time for Thanksgiving – ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=November 28, 2013 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115093543/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/11/home-invasion-survivor-william-petit-welcomes-baby-in-time-for-thanksgiving/ |archive-date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/picture-baby-boy-born-connecticut-doctor-years-wife-daughters-murdered-article-1.1531806 |title=First picture of baby boy born to doctor 6 years after his wife, daughters were murdered |newspaper=NY Daily News |date=November 28, 2013 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119041714/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/picture-baby-boy-born-connecticut-doctor-years-wife-daughters-murdered-article-1.1531806 |archive-date=January 19, 2014 |url-status=live }} In October 2013, Petit announced that he was considering running for Congress for the Republican Party{{cite web |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/11/dr-william-petit-approached-by-gop-officials-to-run-for-congress/ |title=Dr. William Petit Approached By GOP Officials To Run For Congress |publisher=Newyork.cbslocal.com |date=October 11, 2013 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106182451/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/11/dr-william-petit-approached-by-gop-officials-to-run-for-congress/ |archive-date=January 6, 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://articles.courant.com/2013-10-10/news/hc-petit-congress-5th-1011-20131010_1_petit-family-foundation-republican-leaders-state-capitol |title=Dr. William Petit and politics: Dr. William Petit, the lone survivor of the Cheshire home invasion in 2007 in which his wife and two daughters were killed, is being wooed by Republican leaders to run for Congress in the 5th District. |work=Hartford Courant |date=October 10, 2013 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128191928/http://articles.courant.com/2013-10-10/news/hc-petit-congress-5th-1011-20131010_1_petit-family-foundation-republican-leaders-state-capitol |archive-date=January 28, 2014 |url-status=dead }} after being approached by the National Republican Congressional Committee, who had asked him if he would be interested in running. Petit ultimately decided not to be a candidate.{{cite news|last1=Swift|first1=Jennifer|title=Dr. William Petit Won't Run For Congress|url=http://www.connecticutmag.com/the-connecticut-story/dr-william-petit-won-t-run-for-congress/article_780a3820-0cf9-5588-b94e-1fbe594c1565.html|access-date=October 15, 2017|work=Connecticut Magazine|date=February 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116215921/http://www.connecticutmag.com/the-connecticut-story/dr-william-petit-won-t-run-for-congress/article_780a3820-0cf9-5588-b94e-1fbe594c1565.html|archive-date=November 16, 2018|url-status=live}} But in May 2016, Petit announced a bid for Connecticut's 22nd House District.{{cite news|url=http://www.courant.com/politics/elections/hc-bill-petit-state-legislature-20160518-story.html|title=Dr. William Petit Running For State Legislature In Plainville|last=Blair|first=Russell|newspaper=Hartford Courant|access-date=February 24, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225054705/http://www.courant.com/politics/elections/hc-bill-petit-state-legislature-20160518-story.html|archive-date=February 25, 2017|url-status=live}} Petit was elected, ousting 11-term Democratic Representative Betty Boukus, and served as representative in the Connecticut House of Representatives until January 2023.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-12 |title=Rep. William Petit joins series of legislators leaving at the end of this term |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-connecticut-state-races-20220512-bwcgvewce5ahpfpbif4n3wytai-story.html |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=Hartford Courant |language=en-US}}

William condemned the Connecticut Supreme Court's decision to abolish the death penalty in August 2015, saying he believed the court had overstepped its powers and urging it to give greater consideration to the "emotional impact, particularly on victims and their loved ones" that death penalty cases generate.{{cite news|last1=Casey|first1=Nicholas|title=Connecticut Death Penalty Ruling Stirs Painful Memories of 3 Grisly Killings|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/nyregion/connecticut-death-penalty-ruling-stirs-painful-memories-of-3-grisly-killings.html|access-date=October 15, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=August 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810172712/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/nyregion/connecticut-death-penalty-ruling-stirs-painful-memories-of-3-grisly-killings.html|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live}} Hawke-Petit's sister Cindy Hawke Renn told NBC News that she was "disheartened" by the court's ruling.

• The Rising: Murder, Heartbreak, and the Power of Human Resilience in an American Town, a book written about the aftermath
• 2015 Washington, D.C., quadruple murder incident
• Logan murder

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{external media

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|width =

|image1 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160131230949/http://www.sodahead.com/living/does-satan-take-human-form/question-4690390/ Photograph of Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky]

| image2 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20180105225724/https://media.nbcconnecticut.com/images/652*489/Petit-Family-Photo_640x480_edited-1.jpg Photograph of Petit family]

}}

• [http://www.petitfamilyfoundation.org/ Petit Family Foundation]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014035352/http://missporters.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?page=49193 Messages about the death of Hayley Petit] – Miss Porter's School (scroll down to see messages related to the Petits)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080801230817/http://www.milesformichaela.org/ Miles for Michaela] at the Internet Archive
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101006062546/http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3872&Q=466696 Statement of Governor M. Jodi Rell, on verdict in trial of Steven Hayes]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130702055215/https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/the-cheshire-murders/index.html The Cheshire Murders documentary], HBO.com

{{Cheshire, Connecticut}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Connecticut|Law}}

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