Petit Family Responds to Death Sentence for Komisarjevsky

Dr. William Petit, with a newly grown beard on his face, stood outside New Haven Superior Court Friday evening to talk about his reaction to the death penalty sentence handed down that afternoon for triple-murder defendant Joshua Komisarjevsky.

According to the Hartford Courant,

"We'd really like to thank the jury for their really difficult decision," the Courant quoted Petit. We are satisfied that the defendant has been judged to be the murderer, rapist…that he is."

The jury took about 20 hours to decide on the death penalty for Komisarjevsky in the deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 48, and her two daughters, Hayley, 17 and Michaela, 11.

Komisarjevsky had been found guilty in October of all 17 counts against him.

Update at 4:25 p.m. on Dec. 9

Jurors sentenced Joshua Komisarjevsky to death on Friday after five days of weighing his fate. 

According to ABC News:

Dr. William Petit, the lone survivor of the 2007 attack, was sitting in the courtroom's front row where he has been throughout the grisly trial. He displayed no emotion other than to put his arm around his sister as the killer of his wife and two daughters repeatedly heard the sentence of death for each of their murders.

Update at 6:05 p.m. on Dec. 8

After four days of 17 hours of deliberations, jurors have not yet reached a decision on whether Joshua Komisarjevsky should die for his role in a home invasion that ended with three people dead.

According to Reuters, the jurors will meet again on Friday.

Update at 5:10 p.m. on Dec. 7

Day three of deliberations ended with no decision on whether Joshua Komisarjevsky lives or dies, but the day was punctuated when jurors passed a note to judge seeking input on a legal aspect.

According to NBC Connecticut:

The jurors had questions on what constitutes a "minor role" in the death of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and if the jury should take into account just the strangulation or all the events leading up to her death.  Steven Hayes, Komisarjevsky's co-defendant, strangled Hawke-Petit during the crime, and is now sitting on death row.

Judge Jon Blue said neither and referred them back to the count. 

2nd Day of Deliberation Ends With No Verdict Update at 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 6

Jurors have yet to reach a decision on whether Joshua Komisarjevsky should be sentenced to death for his crimes. According to the Associated Press, deliberations lasted five hours and will continue tomorrow. 

Jurors Consider Life or Death for Komisarjevsky Update at 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 5

Jurors began deliberating on whether Joshua Komisarjevsky should be put to death or sentenced to life in prison for his role in a home invasion turned triple murder. No decision was made on the first day, and the closed deliberations continue tomorrow.

For a complete recap of the trial, from the beginning of the guilt phase to the sentencing today, .