Forensic specialist takes stand as testimony resumes in Connecticut home invasion murder trial

Forensic expert testifies in home invasion trial

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A state crime lab specialist has taken the stand as testimony resumes in the trial of a man charged in the killings of a woman and her two daughters in a Connecticut home invasion three years ago.

Joy Reho was the first prosecution witness Friday in New Haven Superior Court in the case of Steven Hayes, one of two men charged with capital felony, murder, sexual assault and other crimes in the deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela.

The state fire marshal is also expected to testify Friday.

Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky (koh-mih-sar-JEV’-skee) are also accused of setting the family’s house in Cheshire on fire. Hawke-Petit was strangled and the two girls died of smoke inhalation.

Both defendants face the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.