NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 1 (UPI) -- A judge has decided against moving the second trial in one of Connecticut's most notorious crimes, a deadly home invasion, out of New Haven.
Judge Jon C. Blue rejected the request by lawyers for Joshua Komisarjevsky in a ruling Monday, The Hartford Courant reported. But Blue suggested he might change his mind once jury selection begins, depending on how questioning of potential jurors goes.
Komisarjevsky, 30, allegedly joined Steven Hayes in killing Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, Michaela and Hayley Petit. Her husband, Dr. William Petit, survived a murderous beating.
Hayes was sentenced to death last year. Komisarjevsky's lawyers presented a survey done after the trial that showed 99 percent of the population of New Haven is familiar with the case.
In his ruling, Blue said the New Haven judicial district is large and diverse, increasing the chance of getting a jury. He also pointed out that Hayes was acquitted on one arson charge, suggesting jurors can go by the evidence presented to them in court.
