Aug 7, 2007 11:26 am US/Eastern
Cheshire Home Invasion Suspects Face Judge
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBS/AP) ―
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Joshua Komisarjevsky, left, and Steven Hayes, the suspects in the Chesire home invasion that killed a wife and her daughters, appeared in court Tuesday to face charges.
CBS
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Dr. William Petit Jr., with his wife Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and their two daughters, Hayley, top left and Michaela.
AP
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The suspects' vehicle rammed several police cruisers as they fled.
AP
Two suspects in a deadly burglary and arson that left three people dead and rocked the suburban town of Cheshire last month appeared in court briefly Tuesday to face a slew of charges.
Joshua Komisarjevsky, 26, of Cheshire, and Steven Hayes, 44, of Winsted, did not enter pleas and spoke only to answer yes or no questions. A judge set a probable cause hearing for Sept. 18.
The two have been held on $15 million bond since July 23, when they allegedly took the Petit family hostage, killing 48-year-old Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11.
The state medical examiner said Hawke-Petit, who was taken to a bank and forced to withdraw money during the ordeal, was strangled. The girls died from smoke inhalation after the family home was set ablaze.
The lone survivor, Dr. William Petit Jr., was badly beaten but managed to escape.
Police presence was heavy around New Haven Superior Court on Tuesday morning. Petit family members filled two rows reserved for them in the packed courtroom. A man was escorted from the courtroom after he yelled "killer" as Komisarjevsky faced the judge. Otherwise, the brief hearing was quiet.
Family members issued a statement but did not speak to reporters.
"We understand that these men being arraigned have committed horrific acts of violence against our beloved family members, and that because those acts also violate numerous laws the state has a responsibility to hold these individuals accountable for what they have done," the statement said.
State's Attorney Michael Dearington, who is prosecuting Komisarjevsky and Hayes, said in a statement that Tuesday's proceeding was the first step in a long legal process.
"Our thoughts and sympathy are with Dr. Petit and family members," he said.
Komisarjevsky and Hayes, who met in a halfway house and were on parole when the crime occurred, are charged with capital felony, kidnapping, sexual assault, assault, burglary, robbery, arson, larceny and risk of injury to children.
Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.
The incident has raised concerns about the state's parole system.
As nonviolent offenders, both men served more than the required 50 percent of their sentences needed to be considered for parole.
State officials said Komisarjevsky served nearly 60 percent of his sentence when he was paroled in April. Hayes served about 75 percent of his sentence on burglary charges before being released in May.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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