WFSB Channel 3Komisarjevsky formally sentenced to death

Komisarjevsky formally sentenced to death

A New Haven Superior Court judge has formally sentenced Joshua Komisarjevsky to death for the home invasion killings of a Connecticut woman and her two daughters in 2007.

Komisarjevsky was sentenced after a jury delivered a death sentence on all six capital counts last month.

He now joins co-defendant Steven Hayes on death row for the killings of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, Hayley and Michaela, in their Cheshire home.

Dr. William Petit was the only survivor.

Hayes raped and strangled Hawke-Petit, while Komisarjevsky sexually assaulted 11-year-old Michaela. Dr. Petit was severely beaten and tied to a post in the basement before he was able to free himself and escape the home before it was set ablaze. Michaela and her 17-year-old sister, Hayley, were tied to their beds, doused in gasoline and died after the house was set on fire.

During the formal sentencing, several victim impact statements were read, including messages from Dr. Petit, Bill Petit, Sr., Hayley and Michaela's grandfather, along with Dr. Petit's sister, the girls' aunt.

Komisarjevsky looked on as Petit spoke about the loss of his family and home while photographs of his murdered family members appeared on the courtroom screen.

"Our lively family gatherings are now always quiet and subdued. We don't know what to do," Petit said.

Petit's statement reflected on his wife and daughter's accomplishments. He said they still live on with him.

"I will never get to see the twinkle in my daughter's eye when she makes me breakfast. Michaela loved to sing, but hated homework. Michaela was the cook in the family, she loved the Food Network. I miss her running to the door saying, 'Dada's home,'" he said.

Petit said his wife Jennifer, who was a nurse, was a friend and a wonderful mother.

"I miss our late night chats and partnerships in raising the girls.  We made a good team and complemented one another," Petit said.

He said his Hayley would be in medical school by now. Petit and several family members walked out of the courtroom before Komisarjevsky gave his statement.

Cynthia Hawke-Renn, Jennifer Petit's sister, said in a videotaped statement  that she can't escape the horror of that July night. She said gas, rope, and bed posts  conjure nightmare visions.

"That call in July of 2007 turned my life upside down," she said.

William Petit Sr, Dr. Petit's father, told the court how his son told him that day, "the girls are gone, Jennifer is gone."

"My son puts on a great face and works hard, but he is hurting so badly," Petit Sr. said.

Komisarjevsky addressed the court before he was sentenced saying that he poisoned his life.

"I have poisoned my own life. I was honest in my confession," he said.

In his statement he said "It's a surreal experience to be condemed to die. Throughout the proceeding years, I sat and became quite comfortable in the face of hatred and bigorty, it's familiarity as part of my daily life."

Komisarjevsky blamed his childhood abuse and drugs for leading him down this road.

"Now more than ever I accept responsibility. I did not want anyone to die that morning," he said.

Judge Jon Blue sentenced Komisarjevsky to death on six of the 17 charges - all the charges that carry death penalty.

"This is a horrible sentence, but it is a sentence you wrote for yourself," Blue said. "May God have mercy on your soul."

Komisarjevsky's date of execution is set for July 20, 2012.

Click here to read Robert Goulston's Tweets from the courtroom.

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