In this episode, we delve into the horrific 2007 Pettit family murders in Cheshire, Connecticut, where Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes committed a home invasion that turned into a brutal tragedy. Unique and fascinating facts include how Hayes and Komisarjevsky initially planned a simple robbery after stalking Jennifer and Michaela Pettit while they were shopping, but the situation escalated into the sexual assault of Michaela, documented on a phone, the rape of Jennifer, and the burning of the house with the victims still bound. William Pettit, who survived after being tied up in the basement for hours, became a living witness to this brutality, while Haley and Michaela died from smoke and fire, with Haley nearly escaping based on the burns on her legs. The case also revealed the perpetrators' backgrounds: Komisarjevsky as a cold-blooded predator with a history of home invasions since his teens, and Hayes as a repeat offender with 26 prior incarcerations, who met at a halfway house.
In this episode, you will learn about the psychological impact on jurors who saw graphic evidence such as autopsy photos and torture videos, the evolution of the death penalty in Connecticut, which was ultimately abolished in 2015, and how William Pettit rebuilt his life through a foundation to help victims of violence and chronic illness. We also discuss profound questions about preventing domestic violence. 


This episode includes AI-generated content.