09-20-2011, 01:54 PM
donovan for defense tried to rattle or discredit Dr. Petit's memory on stand today. it's a dumb move and will alienate jurors who are sympathetic. the evidence shows what happened, Dr. Petit's memories aren't an issue. even appearing to attack Dr. Petit is a poor defense tactic.
September 20, 2011
NEW HAVEN — —
Dr. William Petit Jr. testified Tuesday about the beating he suffered the night of July 23, 2007, when two men broke into his Cheshire home and attacked his family. It was the second trial at which Petit gave his account of the attack, which left his wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and their daughters Hayley and Michaela dead.
Petit was the first witness on the stand Tuesday. At the lunch break, he told The Hartford Courant that testifying the second time "was more nerve-wracking. I tried to stay calm."
At Hayes' trial last year, defense attorneys did not cross-examine Petit.
But Jeremiah Donovan, one of Komisarjevsky's defense attorneys, cross-examined Petit early Tuesday afternoon.
In brief but pointed questions, Donovan asked Petit about what he remembered vs. what he may have pieced together, based on testimony Petit has heard at both trials.
September 20, 2011
NEW HAVEN — —
Dr. William Petit Jr. testified Tuesday about the beating he suffered the night of July 23, 2007, when two men broke into his Cheshire home and attacked his family. It was the second trial at which Petit gave his account of the attack, which left his wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and their daughters Hayley and Michaela dead.
Petit was the first witness on the stand Tuesday. At the lunch break, he told The Hartford Courant that testifying the second time "was more nerve-wracking. I tried to stay calm."
At Hayes' trial last year, defense attorneys did not cross-examine Petit.
But Jeremiah Donovan, one of Komisarjevsky's defense attorneys, cross-examined Petit early Tuesday afternoon.
In brief but pointed questions, Donovan asked Petit about what he remembered vs. what he may have pieced together, based on testimony Petit has heard at both trials.