HARTFORD — In the wake of last week’s home invasion and horrific murders of a woman and her two daughters in Cheshire, Gov. M. Jodi Rell is asking the state Legislature to review parole procedures and reclassify Burglary II as a violent offense, meaning offenders would be required to serve 85 percent of their sentences.
Rell today proposed the tougher standards in response to the July 23 attack, in which 44-year-old Steven Hayes of Winsted and 26-year-old Joshua Komisarjevsky of Cheshire were arrested on kidnapping and assault charges before later being charged with six counts each of capital felony in connection with the rape and murders of 48-year-old Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11.
Hawke-Petit was strangled in the attack and her daughters died of smoke inhalation after the suspects allegedly set fire to their home. Dr. William Petit Jr. escaped from the family basement after being severely beaten and bound.
New Haven State’s Attorney Michael Dearington announced a total of 41 new charges against the “career criminals� who allegedly carried out one of the most gruesome multiple killings in recent state history, and said he will seek the death penalty for both men. Hayes and Komisarjevsky’s alleged crimes include the kidnapping of Hawke-Petit and forcing her to withdraw $15,000 from her bank account before killing her.
The Cheshire crime stunned residents across the state and prompted criticism of the state’s judicial system, particularly in the treatment of career criminals. Critics noted that Hayes in particular had a rap sheet listing more than two dozen burglaries, forgeries and drug-related offenses dating back to 1980. Komisarjevsky also had a number of prior convictions.
Rell said in a press release that she wants offenders convicted of nighttime burglaries or the burglarizing of occupied residences in Connecticut to be reclassified as violent criminals. That would require anyone convicted to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence before being considered for release to parole.
“I have already appointed a task force to review key steps in our justice system, to be co-chaired by retired Appellate Judge Thomas West, victim advocate Lisa Holden of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence and a retired state prosecutor,� Rell said. “But any steps that can be taken now should be taken now.�
Nighttime burglaries and burglaries of occupied homes are classified under Connecticut law as Burglary II. Under the policy changes announced today by the governor, Board of Pardons and Paroles Chairman Robert Farr and Department of Correction Commissioner Theresa Lantz, the 38 current and all future Burglary II parolees will be subject to random, unannounced nighttime checks of their homes and workplaces by parole officers.
The 38 current Burglary II parolees will be subject to increased electronic monitoring by both standard and GPS-based systems. The parole board will also be reviewing all 38 cases to determine whether additional measures are needed.
“Burglary has long been considered a generally nonviolent offense, but those who commit these crimes at night or when a home is occupied are far more likely to encounter a homeowner, meaning the chances of violence are increased exponentially,� Rell said. “These offenders warrant a much higher level of scrutiny before parole and much closer monitoring after release. These new policies will provide that added level of review.�
Currently, individuals convicted of Burglary II and sentenced to two or more years in prison are eligible for parole after serving at least half of their sentence.
