GUILTY CT - Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 48, & 2 daughters killed in home invasion, 23 July 2007

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PrairieWind said:
Guess I was wrong in my prediction of a verdict today. Jury indicating that they will need to continue tomorrow. Apparently having trouble getting unanimous decision on whether a mitigating factor exists. That doesn't sound good for a death verdict in my opinion.
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You never know what a jury is thinking, but it may be something like:

"We have found mitigation. The jury for Kommisarjevsky will give him the death penalty."

David In TN
 
William N said:
You never know what a jury is thinking, but it may be something like:

"We have found mitigation. The jury for Kommisarjevsky will give him the death penalty."

David In TN
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I imagine this has a lot to do with the state (CT) they are in. Even if Hayes were to get the death penalty, it'd likely be never carried out. I personally would have no problems whatsoever sentencing him to death. And in my state it would be carried out.
 
The three statutory mitigating factors applicable to this case are: impaired mental capacity, impaired ability to conform one's conduct to law, and the inability to have reasonably foreseen that one's conduct would pose grave risk of causing death. The third factor applies for only some of the counts against Hayes.

The judge said the note asked what if, hypothetically, some jurors find at least one mitigating factor and others find none.

"In our example, two jurors have no for all three statutory mitigating factors, and they refuse to sign yes. What is the next step?" the note asked. Blue told them they are not unanimous and sent them back to deliberate.

A second note came out at 4:13 p.m. asking for more clarification on the statutory mitigating factors involving Hayes' mental capacity and Hayes' ability to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law.

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-hayes-sentence-1107-20101106,0,3067571,full.story
 
Also from the above article:

Criminal defense attorney Hugh Keefe of New Haven, who is not involved in this case, said that if jurors cannot unanimously agree on statutory mitigating factors, then a hung jury would result.

The case would revert to the beginning of the penalty phase and a new jury would have to be chosen. Keefe said any new penalty phase would be longer than this one because evidence from the guilt phase would have to be re-introduced to the new jury.

If a hung jury occurred, the defense could file a motion asking the judge to accept a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of release.

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-hayes-sentence-1107-20101106,0,3067571,full.story
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/nyregion/07verdict.html?partner=rss&emc=rss


"The scene in the courtroom included the mundane and the gripping. At times, Matthew Hayes, a younger brother of the convicted man, squeezed in alongside reporters on the first row. On the other side of a narrow aisle sat the family of the two murdered girls and their mother, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, who was strangled by Mr. Hayes.

In the murmur of reporters talking about old assignments and good New Haven restaurants, some of them watched as Ms. Hawke-Petit’s father, the Rev. Richard Hawke, slowly walked up to Matthew Hayes. The two talked quietly for a minute, their expressions signaling exchanged condolences, and then Mr. Hawke went back to his side of the courtroom. "
 
I don't understand what is going on. One of his excuses- his horrible family background as a child. Seems to me he was deviant as a child. His brother is the one whe had it rough; and he hasn't killed anyone. He's only a follower- remember his ex cited text to his partner- he could hardly wait to start their planned home invasion. He only killed Mrs Pettit because K goaded him into it. Who went out to buy the gas hours before the fire was set. OH, i know----he bought the gas because they were going to have a weinie roast in the back yard. The fate of this poor family was already sealed when that gas was bought. His biggest regrets are that Dr Pettit lived and they got caught. I'm not a huge death penalty lover-----but lets get a grip jurors- this case begs for the death penalty!!!!!
Gretting more upset by the minute in Iowa
Dr D:furious::furious::furious::furious::furious::furious:
 
I think they're taking their responsibility very seriously, as they should. I was only on a jury once in my life and that was a civil case where they had agreed on liability and we had to assess damages. After that I decided I would never want to be on a jury again.

I can't imagine being on a jury having someone's life or death in your hands.

Maybe the sentencing in these cases should be left up to the Judge.
 
Jurors seek clarification on mitigating factors in home invasion case
November 7, 2010 10:57 a.m. EST

Jurors in Connecticut resumed deliberations Sunday to determine whether to sentence a man convicted of killing two sisters and their mother in a brutal 2007 home invasion to death.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/07/connecticut.home.invasion.penalty/index.html?hpt=T2

Can't believe this is happening! What is going on in their minds for them not to agree on the death penalty?
 
Cher352 said:
Jurors seek clarification on mitigating factors in home invasion case
November 7, 2010 10:57 a.m. EST

Jurors in Connecticut resumed deliberations Sunday to determine whether to sentence a man convicted of killing two sisters and their mother in a brutal 2007 home invasion to death.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/07/connecticut.home.invasion.penalty/index.html?hpt=T2

Can't believe this is happening! What is going on in their minds for them not to agree on the death penalty?
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I can't believe it either.
 
Cher352 said:
Jurors seek clarification on mitigating factors in home invasion case
November 7, 2010 10:57 a.m. EST

Jurors in Connecticut resumed deliberations Sunday to determine whether to sentence a man convicted of killing two sisters and their mother in a brutal 2007 home invasion to death.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/07/connecticut.home.invasion.penalty/index.html?hpt=T2

Can't believe this is happening! What is going on in their minds for them not to agree on the death penalty?
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I have been wondering that myself. It just seems like if there ever was a death penalty case it's this one. I can't figure out what they even have to debate.
 
Day 3 Wraps Up In Hayes Deliberations; No Verdict Reached
UPDATED: 4:28 pm EST November 7, 2010

After three days of deliberating, there was still no verdict as jurors adjourned for the day Sunday in the penalty phase of the Steven Hayes trial.

Jurors adjourned for the day just after 4 p.m., after deliberating for three days straight.

http://www.wfsb.com/cheshirecase/25662553/detail.html

I would say this does not look good, wonder if that engineer from the 1st Spector jury moved to CT.
 
Cher352 said:
Day 3 Wraps Up In Hayes Deliberations; No Verdict Reached
UPDATED: 4:28 pm EST November 7, 2010

After three days of deliberating, there was still no verdict as jurors adjourned for the day Sunday in the penalty phase of the Steven Hayes trial.

Jurors adjourned for the day just after 4 p.m., after deliberating for three days straight.

http://www.wfsb.com/cheshirecase/25662553/detail.html

I would say this does not look good, wonder if that engineer from the 1st Spector jury moved to CT.
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I agree it doesn't look good. First he was not guilty of arson and now it seems like he could very well not get the death penalty. Is this justice?
 
What can possibly be holding up the sentence for this convict? Surely this man clearly deserves the death penalty. It is horrifying to think that a juror or jurors could actually be comtemplating letting THIS live. Why do I get the feeling that the same one or ones holding this sentence up are the same as found him not guilty of arson? :waitasec:
 
What a terrible IN-justice if he does not get the death penalty.

I guess only the people in CT have the real right to complain but I wish CT would change the way they do things. First of all I hated the 2 part trial and separate deliberations...seems so unfair to the victims or family of the victims to drag it out so long. Second that even after the jury finds him guilty they have to unanimously choose the sentence.

Here in FL the the jury only recommends a sentence but the judge makes the final decision and can overrule what the jury recommended. Usually the judge goes along with the jury but I remember several years back where the jury recommended life but the judge said no, death!
 
I've been wondering.... Since Hayes stated he wanted the death penalty.... does that have any impact on the jurors or should it..... or do they feel since he wants it maybe it is the easy way out & perhaps he should suffer longer in prison????

Personally, I pray he receives the DP, but I'm just wondering myself what could be taking so long... he's guilty, admitted & convicted of these heinous crimes & yet .... what in the world is left to discuss &/or debate????

Perhaps I could see some hesitation if he was found guilty of 1 DP qualified charge or even perhaps 2.... but the fact is he was found guilty of so many!!! Of the 16 guilty verdicts are they all DP qualified???? Sorry, but I'm having a brain freeze about now... LOL
 
lonetraveler said:
What can possibly be holding up the sentence for this convict? Surely this man clearly deserves the death penalty. It is horrifying to think that a juror or jurors could actually be comtemplating letting THIS live. Why do I get the feeling that the same one or ones holding this sentence up are the same as found him not guilty of arson? :waitasec:
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I hope the jury is just taking their time for some unknown reason like just being cautious since it is a DP case. Maybe it is the few hold outs.

This man only deserves death (IMO) and nothing less. I read an article that life would be harder for him but I just want to see him gone from this earth. He is pure evil. The second problem is will they ever carry out the DP in that state?

Let us pray for a verdict soon.

Goz
 
WellDone said:
I've been wondering.... Since Hayes stated he wanted the death penalty.... does that have any impact on the jurors or should it..... or do they feel since he wants it maybe it is the easy way out & perhaps he should suffer longer in prison????

Personally, I pray he receives the DP, but I'm just wondering myself what could be taking so long... he's guilty, admitted & convicted of these heinous crimes & yet .... what in the world is left to discuss &/or debate????

Perhaps I could see some hesitation if he was found guilty of 1 DP qualified charge or even perhaps 2.... but the fact is he was found guilty of so many!!! Of the 16 guilty verdicts are they all DP qualified???? Sorry, but I'm having a brain freeze about now... LOL
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The jury has to agree on mitigating factors-like his mental state-remember shrink testifying Hayes was supposedly in a rage-if the jury believes he was in a rage that's a mitigating factor. And as I understand it, if they find there are mitigating factors, Hayes is not getting the death penalty.
I wonder if this is specific to CT since I haven't heard anything like that before.
 
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