Record-Journal
08-07-2007, 09:13 PM
NEW HAVEN -- Fatigues and bullet proof vests aren’t usual courtroom attire, but a half-dozen guards from the state’s special operations group were front and center at New Haven Superior Court Tuesday morning.
The heightened security was ordered for the arraignment of the two parolees accused of killing three members of the Petit family on July 23. A phalanx of judicial marshals was also positioned between the public area and the judge’s bench.
“Due to the crowd and the nature of the crime, we have additional marshals in the courtroom” said Melissa Farley, external affairs director for the state’s judicial branch. “We want to make sure the proceedings move smoothly,” she added.
The security was so tight, the public had to pass through two checkpoints before entering the courtroom on the sixth floor.
Visitors were first required to pass through a metal detector at the entrance to the building and were then subjected to a second check of briefcases and purses outside the courtroom doors. Male visitors were also frisked by a judicial marshal.
The attorney for Joshua Komisarjevsky said he could not comment on whether death threats had been received against his client. However, a marshal who asked not to be named, said extra steps were taken to secure the building.
“You can make your own assumptions,” the marshal said without confirming that police sharpshooters had been stationed atop one of the nearby parking garages as the accused men were brought inside.
Komisarjevksy, 26, and Steven Hayes, 44, are each charged with nearly two dozen criminal counts including six capital felony charges in the deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11.
“There are crazies out there. We want to assure (the accused men’s) safety and that of the public,” the marshal said. “With this kind of case and this kind of publicity, that’s what’s done,” he added.
Hayes was arraigned first at about 10:15 a.m. during the short proceedings. He is being represented by two public defenders, Hartford attorney Patrick Culligan and attorney Tom Ullman of New Haven.
Culligan waived the reading of the charges and Judge Richard Damiani gave him a choice of two dates for a probable cause hearing. Culligan chose Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. in New Haven.
Komisarjevsky was brought in next, but his attorney, Jeremiah Donovan of Old Saybrook, did not accompany him. After standing alone for several minutes at the defendant’s table, Damiani told the marshals to remove Komisarjevsky from the courtroom until his attorney was present.
While the court waited for Donovan, nearly 20 members of the Petit family were brought into the courtroom and given seats in the first two rows of benches.
Donovan then arrived in the courtroom and approached the judge. Komisarjevsky was again brought into the room and Donovan asked the judge to recognize a second court appointed attorney, Auden Grogins of Bridgeport, as his co-counsel on the case.
“Killer,” a young man suddenly said in a loud voice from his seat in the visitor’s gallery.
“Quiet,” the judge responded. “Whoever said that, take him out of here,” Damiani told the marshals. “Put him on the elevator and out of the building.”
The proceedings continued with Damiani asking the defendant if he understood the charges filed against him. Komisarjevsky gave a one-word answer, “yes.” His attorney waived the reading of the charges.
The judge then adjourned the arraignment and the Petit family exited through a private door at the back of the courtroom.
Donovan was besieged in the courtroom by reporters who asked for a statement.
“I have an uncontroversial, vanilla statement to make,” he said. “It is a great responsibility to accept an appointment in a case like this. I myself live with a beloved wife and two lovely daughters. Nevertheless, I will represent Joshua will all the vigor and ability I have. The court expects that of me, as I’m sure the prosecutor does and the people of Connecticut expect that from me. If I do that, the ultimate result will be a fair and just result.”
New Haven State’s Attorney Michael Dearington appeared outside the courthouse to read a prepared statement.
“Today’s proceedings is one of the first steps in what will be a long legal process,” he said. “Our thoughts and sympathy are with Dr. Petit and family members.
“This office will pursue the prosecution against the two men charged ... to the fullest extent of the law allowable, making sure that the rights of the defendants as well as the rights of the victims and their family are not violated.”
A member of the New Haven public defender’s office said last week that he doesn’t expect the trial for Komisarjevsky and Hayes to begin within the next two years.
The heightened security was ordered for the arraignment of the two parolees accused of killing three members of the Petit family on July 23. A phalanx of judicial marshals was also positioned between the public area and the judge’s bench.
“Due to the crowd and the nature of the crime, we have additional marshals in the courtroom” said Melissa Farley, external affairs director for the state’s judicial branch. “We want to make sure the proceedings move smoothly,” she added.
The security was so tight, the public had to pass through two checkpoints before entering the courtroom on the sixth floor.
Visitors were first required to pass through a metal detector at the entrance to the building and were then subjected to a second check of briefcases and purses outside the courtroom doors. Male visitors were also frisked by a judicial marshal.
The attorney for Joshua Komisarjevsky said he could not comment on whether death threats had been received against his client. However, a marshal who asked not to be named, said extra steps were taken to secure the building.
“You can make your own assumptions,” the marshal said without confirming that police sharpshooters had been stationed atop one of the nearby parking garages as the accused men were brought inside.
Komisarjevksy, 26, and Steven Hayes, 44, are each charged with nearly two dozen criminal counts including six capital felony charges in the deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11.
“There are crazies out there. We want to assure (the accused men’s) safety and that of the public,” the marshal said. “With this kind of case and this kind of publicity, that’s what’s done,” he added.
Hayes was arraigned first at about 10:15 a.m. during the short proceedings. He is being represented by two public defenders, Hartford attorney Patrick Culligan and attorney Tom Ullman of New Haven.
Culligan waived the reading of the charges and Judge Richard Damiani gave him a choice of two dates for a probable cause hearing. Culligan chose Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. in New Haven.
Komisarjevsky was brought in next, but his attorney, Jeremiah Donovan of Old Saybrook, did not accompany him. After standing alone for several minutes at the defendant’s table, Damiani told the marshals to remove Komisarjevsky from the courtroom until his attorney was present.
While the court waited for Donovan, nearly 20 members of the Petit family were brought into the courtroom and given seats in the first two rows of benches.
Donovan then arrived in the courtroom and approached the judge. Komisarjevsky was again brought into the room and Donovan asked the judge to recognize a second court appointed attorney, Auden Grogins of Bridgeport, as his co-counsel on the case.
“Killer,” a young man suddenly said in a loud voice from his seat in the visitor’s gallery.
“Quiet,” the judge responded. “Whoever said that, take him out of here,” Damiani told the marshals. “Put him on the elevator and out of the building.”
The proceedings continued with Damiani asking the defendant if he understood the charges filed against him. Komisarjevsky gave a one-word answer, “yes.” His attorney waived the reading of the charges.
The judge then adjourned the arraignment and the Petit family exited through a private door at the back of the courtroom.
Donovan was besieged in the courtroom by reporters who asked for a statement.
“I have an uncontroversial, vanilla statement to make,” he said. “It is a great responsibility to accept an appointment in a case like this. I myself live with a beloved wife and two lovely daughters. Nevertheless, I will represent Joshua will all the vigor and ability I have. The court expects that of me, as I’m sure the prosecutor does and the people of Connecticut expect that from me. If I do that, the ultimate result will be a fair and just result.”
New Haven State’s Attorney Michael Dearington appeared outside the courthouse to read a prepared statement.
“Today’s proceedings is one of the first steps in what will be a long legal process,” he said. “Our thoughts and sympathy are with Dr. Petit and family members.
“This office will pursue the prosecution against the two men charged ... to the fullest extent of the law allowable, making sure that the rights of the defendants as well as the rights of the victims and their family are not violated.”
A member of the New Haven public defender’s office said last week that he doesn’t expect the trial for Komisarjevsky and Hayes to begin within the next two years.