Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven J. Hayes

UPDATE, November 8, 2010: Steven Hayes Sentenced to Death for the Deadly Conn. Home Invasion
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UPDATE, October 5, 2010: Triple Murder Case Yields Convictions on 16 of 17 Counts
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Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven J. Hayes went to court today.

NEW HAVEN, Aug. 7 -- The two men accused of the brutal murders of a Connecticut family during a home invasion last month appeared in court today under unusually high security to hear the charges against them.

When the two men were brought out, both of them said to be wearing bullet proof vests under their orange jump suits, one person in the courtroom yelled out a vulgarity, and another man yelled out “killer.” Judge Richard A. Damiani, who was presiding in Superior Court here, had the second man ejected from the courtroom.

The two suspects — Joshua Komisarjevsky, 26, of Cheshire, and Steven J. Hayes, 44, of Winsted — have been held on $15 million bond since July 23, when they allegedly took the Petit family hostage at their home in Cheshire, killing 48-year-old Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11.

The father, Dr. William Petit, who had been beaten up and tied in the basement, managed to escape just before the men are said to have set the house on fire.

Mr. Komisarjevsky and Mr. Hayes are charged with capital felony murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, assault, burglary, robbery, arson, larceny and risk of injury to children. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.

A few thoughts--

Why give Komisarjevsky and Hayes bullet proof vests to wear?

Wasn't the extremely heavy security enough?

Why provide them with that sort of protection?

Aren't there metal detectors at the courthouse?

If there aren't, there should be.

Another thing--

It drives me nuts when media use the term "Mr." in cases like this.

I know it's a matter of formality and journalistic style, but using "Mr. Komisarjevsky and Mr. Hayes" seems weird.

It's such a strange politeness, like when a police chief gives a press conference and refers to an individual charged with murder as a "gentleman."

The two defendants did not enter pleas today. They answered tersely when the judge asked whether they understood the charges against them and their rights. The judge scheduled a hearing for Sept. 18 to determine whether the police had probable cause to arrest the men, the next procedural step in the case.

The defendants were brought into the crowded courtroom under heavy security. Both were shackled at the wrists and at the feet. A phalanx of uniformed marshals stood behind the defendants throughout the court proceeding, which lasted just under 30 minutes, forming a wall between them and the spectators in the courtroom. Corrections officers in tan camouflage gear escorted the men by holding them by the arm.

About a dozen members of the Petit family were in the courtroom, filling two rows of seats, although Dr. Petit himself was not present.

My heart goes out to the Petit family.

It must have been so painful to see Komisarjevsky and Hayes.

I don't know if I could sit quietly and watch the court proceedings. I don't think I could have controlled myself.

Afterward, family members issued a statement but did not speak to reporters.

“We understand that these men being arraigned have committed horrific acts of violence against our beloved family members, and that because those acts also violate numerous laws, the state has a responsibility to hold these individuals accountable for what they have done,” the statement said.

...Jeremiah Donovan, a private attorney appointed by the court to represent Mr. Komisarjevsky as a special public defender, also read from a statement.

“I myself live with a beloved wife and two lovely daughters, but I’m going to defend Joshua with all the ability and all the vigor that I might have,” he said. “The court expects that of me. The prosecutor certainly expects that of me, and I think the people of Connecticut expect it of me. If I do that, then whatever result is reached in this case, I think we can be confident it will be reached with due deliberation, fairness and justice.”

I wouldn't want to be Jeremiah Donovan.

I know that he's playing an important role in our justice system.

Someone has to do it but I don't think I could.