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

[PrairieWind]

Its hard to say what to make of the question. Could swing either way. I am perplexed and dissapointed though that the jury apparantly believes JK only played a "minor role" in Mrs. Petit's death.

 

[believe09]

I can see why the jury is confused. Did he play a minor role in any of the deaths, and Does that minor role trump his role in all of the deaths...or should the mitigating factor of "minor role" be set aside when you take into consideration everything...

This is how I am reading everything.

Minor Role in one death, major role in the others. Major role in the entire home invasion from start to finish.

 

[PrairieWind]

Ok, reading the actual question asked abotu count 4: "1st: "Regarding the 4th count, are the conditions of the second statuary mitigating factor met if the defendant is found to have played a relatively minor role in only one of the three deaths?" This to me would indeed signal that they think JK's role in Jennifer's death was minor, BUT it also logically implies that they believe his role in the other two deaths was not minor. So the fact they are even asking this question to me would indicate they may have already decided on death for the murders of the girls and are just stuck on the sentence for the murder of Jennifer.

 

[believe09]

You said it much better than I did PW-this is what I think too.

 

[PrairieWind]

The second question asked by the jury: "2nd: "Regarding the 10th count, and whether the defendant played a relatively minor role in comparison to Steven Hayes in Jennifer Hawke Petit's death, should we only take into account the actual strangulation or also include the event and actions leading up to her death?"

The various tweets are not clear as to how the judge answered this. One says he didnt answer it and another said he answered it that they must take the whole circumstance into consideration, which i believe is the correct answer.

 

[PrairieWind]

ARe the jury instructions available on-line somewhere? I'd like to see the language. That 2nd question boths me in that they asked about his role being "minor in comparison to Steven Hayes." I think it should be only "minor role" and not relative to another defendant.

 

[cece5300]

Thank you all so much for clearing things up!

 

[PrairieWind]

Well I'm not sure its cleared up cece. Its hard to interpret the tweets from the court because they are not always accurate. And of course we dont know the context in which the jury asks the questions, so we could be all off base. Guess we'll find out. Looks like the jury is done for the day.

 

[JSR]

Ok question. Is everything lumped together? I mean are they even allowed to give the DP for the two murders of the girls but not for Jennifer? I sure would love to see the verdict form or a copy of the instructions.

If they aren't all lumped together than it would appear they would have to go through this 6 times for each of the 6 capital convictions? No?

 

[cece5300]

well, what I meant was I think I understand it better than I did before lol. Like you said, I guess we'll find out. I am glad that the jury is taking their jobs seriously and taking their time. I appreciate that a lot, as much as I despise JK.

 

[joe jones]

seems the defence has given the jury things to ponder on, and mitigation factors to consider,

I still expect DP because I think they will find DP for the girls and maybe LWOP for Mrs Petit

but am really glad to see a conscientious jury,

 

[PrairieWind]

I think we can safely say that they jury is going thru the counts and the instructions very methodically. And that is good. They have to apply the instructions and the agravating/mitigating factors to each of those counts, so it takes a while. Thats fine. Moving too fast and NOT following the instructions is what led to the Casey Anthony acquittal.

 

[JSR]

http://www.courant.com/community/ch...misarjevsky-sentence-20111205,0,3978368.story

This article answers most of our questions.

 

[PrairieWind]

I'm gathering from the tweets that the jury has requested that they NOT have to come in at 9 tomorrow but instead at 10. That could indicate that they believe they don't have too much left to discuss.

 

[JSR]

Here are all the 17 counts and which counts they need to consider in determining the statutory mitigating factors.


1. Murder: Aided Steven Hayes in the murder of Jennifer Hawke-Petit: GUILTY

2. Murder of Hayley Petit: GUILTY

3. Murder of Michaela Petit: GUILTY

4. Capital felony: Intentionally caused the deaths of two or more people: GUILTY

5. Capital felony: Intentionally caused the death of a person under the age of 16: GUILTY

6. First-degree kidnapping (William Petit): GUILTY

7. First-degree kidnapping (Jennifer Hawke-Petit): GUILTY

8. First-degree kidnapping (Hayley Petit): GUILTY

9. First-degree kidnapping (Michaela Petit): GUILTY

10. Capital felony: Intentionally caused the death of Jennifer Hawke-Petit in the course of a kidnapping: GUILTY

11. Capital felony: Intentionally caused the death of Hayley Petit in the course of a kidnapping: GUILTY

12. Capital felony: Intentionally caused the death of Michaela Petit in the course of a kidnapping: GUILTY

13. First-degree sexual assault: GUILTY

14. Capital felony: Intentionally caused the death of Michaela Petit in the course of first-degree sexual assault: GUILTY

15. Second-degree burglary: GUILTY

16. First-degree arson: GUILTY

17. Second-degree assault: GUILTY

 

[JSR]

I think we can safely say that they jury is going thru the counts and the instructions very methodically. And that is good. They have to apply the instructions and the agravating/mitigating factors to each of those counts, so it takes a while. Thats fine. Moving too fast and NOT following the instructions is what led to the Casey Anthony acquittal.

BBM.

You are so right.

 

[Allusonz]

I think we can safely say that they jury is going thru the counts and the instructions very methodically. And that is good. They have to apply the instructions and the agravating/mitigating factors to each of those counts, so it takes a while. Thats fine. Moving too fast and NOT following the instructions is what led to the Casey Anthony acquittal.

I believe your evaluation of what the jurors are doing is correct.

They want to make sure they understand it and get it right.

 

[PrairieWind]

Thanks for the list of counts. Thats helpful.

 

[PrairieWind]

Well, nothing yet this morning. Jury has deliberated almost the entire morning, no break nor questions. They did request a chalk board to start with. That they havent asked for a break this morning is a good sign I think.

 

[joe jones]

saw a tweet that said the jury had made no extra effort to dress up today, court folklore is that jurors often dress up on the day they expect to render a verdict, we shall see if court folklore is true today,