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

[PrairieWind]

jury have the case, I expect them to give him the DP

That is an interesting statement coming from you Joe. Why do you feel that way? I feel its maybe 50/50 or maybe 60/40 in favor of death.

 

[JSR]

I don't think this jury is going to give him the DP. Even though I feel it's an appropriate sentence in this particular case and with this particular defendant. I think 6 weeks of testimony was enough time for this jury to perhaps forget about the victims in this case and the evidence brought out in the guilt phase. I still feel that JK is a danger even if he's locked up away forever. He will still have the ability to further damage his daughter and to torture Dr. Petit his only living victim. And I'm afraid if in the GP a guard could let their guard down for just a minute and JK will seize that opportunity for escape or some other criminal activity. This is a defendant who has never stopped scheming his entire adult life and I don't expect that to ever change.

 

[PrairieWind]

I wouldnt look for a verdict too quick here. Its going to take the jury a little while just to get through discussing and voting on all those mitigating factors the defense claims. I'd say late tomorrow earliest.

 

[joe jones]

That is an interesting statement coming from you Joe. Why do you feel that way? I feel its maybe 50/50 or maybe 60/40 in favor of death.

they found him guilty of every single charge, I think the state has been able to say very strongly to the jury that the Petit victims those both dead and alive deserve to have JK given the death penalty, and nothing he may have suffered in his life lessens what he did to the Petit family

I think they will feel that Dr Petit has suffered tremendously and only the DP will be enough for him

I think JK is a very damaged individual, I believe he was sexually abused and he abused his sister in a cycle of abuse that should have been addressed properly but was not by his parents, I think he was badly damaged and traumatised by the religious beliefs and practices of the church his parents were involved with, I have huge sympathy with the little boy who must have suffered greatly, this does not excuse his behaviour but goes in part to explain it,having some sympathy for JK does not lessen my compassion for the pian of the Petit family, I have lots to go round
and who knows how he may have turned out if they had got him some professional therapy and maybe medication if he needed it,

he still though chose to offend, and chose to continue to offend even after serving a long jail sentence, he has committed a huge amount of crimes and been involved in the dreadful crimes against the Petit family, but even after all he has done to me he is still a human being and just like he did not have the right to murder the Petits nobody has the right to murder him,

 

[PrairieWind]

Good post Joe. I disagree with several t hings, but I'll respect your opinion.

I assume the jury has gone home for evening by now. Lets hope that tomorrow is the last day they have to report so that they may pick up their lives again.

 

[Davania]

they found him guilty of every single charge, I think the state has been able to say very strongly to the jury that the Petit victims those both dead and alive deserve to have JK given the death penalty, and nothing he may have suffered in his life lessens what he did to the Petit family

I think they will feel that Dr Petit has suffered tremendously and only the DP will be enough for him

I think JK is a very damaged individual, I believe he was sexually abused and he abused his sister in a cycle of abuse that should have been addressed properly but was not by his parents, I think he was badly damaged and traumatised by the religious beliefs and practices of the church his parents were involved with, I have huge sympathy with the little boy who must have suffered greatly, this does not excuse his behaviour but goes in part to explain it,having some sympathy for JK does not lessen my compassion for the pian of the Petit family, I have lots to go round
and who knows how he may have turned out if they had got him some professional therapy and maybe medication if he needed it,

he still though chose to offend, and chose to continue to offend even after serving a long jail sentence, he has committed a huge amount of crimes and been involved in the dreadful crimes against the Petit family, but even after all he has done to me he is still a human being and just like he did not have the right to murder the Petits nobody has the right to murder him,

I agree with this 100% - DP i feel is inevitable which is a shame, another death to add to the whole horrible event. I would be completely shocked if they don't give DP. Just wanted to say Joe I have really enjoyed reading your posts throughout this. Also to everyone else it has been a really interesting thread - thank you to all.

 

[PrairieWind]

Jury requests an early lunch. Will break for one hour.

 

[PrairieWind]

I'm going to guess we get a verdict mid afternoon. or maybe even shortly after the jury returns from lunch.

 

[PrairieWind]

Well, I guess I am wrong. Jury is perhaps not going to get a decision today. Not sure what to make of that. Could be there is disagreement, or it could be that they are just taking a lot of time to discuss all those mitigating circumstances.

 

[PrairieWind]

No verdict today, and jury has been dismissed for the day. Will report tomorrow at 10. If they can't reach verdict Wednesday, then on Thursday they will likely have to start putting in extra deliberatins in the evening.

 

[PrairieWind]

This trial has been a strange animal as far as scheduling is concerned, and certainly far different that how trials are handled here in my area. Here, trials routinely run into the evenings and deliberations certainly would not start so late and end so early.

 

[joe jones]

there is a lot of mitigation to go through, there was method in the defences apparent madness when they made the penalty phase long and drawn out, each mitigation goes onto the verdict form and each mitigation has to be discussed by the jury

therefore the defence has ensured that the jury must examine all aspects of JK life, and there hope is that this will allow them to see him as other than just the easy he is a monster and deserves to die state position

many defences do not fight like this one has, and I am glad that the jury is considering the case carefully, as when it comes down to it they are deciding whether they will choose to kill a man or not,

 

[Madeleine74]

As we know he will sit in jail for at least the next 20 or 30 years even if he is given the DP. It may never be carried out. I consider it to be more symbolic since he is far likelier to die of natural causes behind bars.

 

[JSR]

As we know he will sit in jail for at least the next 20 or 30 years even if he is given the DP. It may never be carried out. I consider it to be more symbolic since he is far likelier to die of natural causes behind bars.

Agreed. That's basically what happens out here in California.

 

[PrairieWind]

The jury has left for lunch, and will resume deliberations at 2pm.

 

[PrairieWind]

Jury question: are conditions met in death of Mrs Petit if JK's role in that death was only minor. Judge says yes, must consider all the circumstances that led up to the death.

 

[JSR]

Wow, questions from jury.

Looks like JK is going to get life, but only because Hayes took a major role in Jennifer's murder. This doesn't make sense when he can take a major role in 2 of the murders but because he didn't take a major role in one of them he get's spared. But somehow Hayes gets Death when he played a lesser role in the entire massacre.

I hope Dr. Petit is preparing himself for this blow that is going to come.

 

[JSR]

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/...ge-Calls-Lawyers-Into-Chambers-135195043.html

 

[PrairieWind]

Maybe I misunderstood the tweets. JSR your link is more helpful. Thanks.

 

[cece5300]

I'm confused - "if one of the mitigating factors is found, it's automatically life". What does that mean?