NEW HAVEN, Conn., Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Joshua Komisarjevsky, on trial in the Petit family home-invasion slayings in Connecticut, told police he was only in it for the money, a jury heard Thursday.
Komisarjevsky, 31, denied his role in the July 2007 deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, Michaela, 11, and Hayley, 17, though he did admit sexually assaulting Michaela and repeatedly beating her father, Dr. William A. Petit Jr., over the head with a baseball bat, The Hartford Courant reported Thursday.
Komisarjevsky said his alleged partner in crime, Steven Hayes, 48, was responsible for the killings. Hayes was found guilty and sentenced to death last year.
Komisarjevsky said he beat William Petit and assaulted Michaela while Hayes took Hawke-Petit to her bank to demand cash. He said when Hayes returned to the home he "started talking about killing people."
In the recording played for the jury, Komisarjevsky told police he said to Hayes, "No one's dying here today. ... It's not going to happen," but Hayes was "worried about DNA." He said Hayes doused the home in gasoline and set it on fire.
"I ---- up," Komisarjevsky said in the recording. "I got myself into a horrible situation. … They were compliant. They did everything they were supposed to. Even the mother did everything to a T. ... This wasn't the plan. We were supposed to get the money and get out."
Testimony will resume Monday. Superior Court Judge Jon C. Blue said he will consider releasing the audio confession to the public after the attorneys in the case have submitted their briefs on the matter.
