In July of 2007, Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters Hayley and Michaela were brutally murdered in their own home in the quiet suburb of Cheshire, Connecticut. This horrific crime rocked a small town and made national headlines. Dr. William Petit, the sole survivor of the attack was severely injured, yet managed to escape alive.
HBO has recently released a documentary that explores this tragic event in more depth. Through interviews with family members, police officers, and legal experts, viewers are able to get a complete understanding of what happened that fateful day as well as how such a tragedy could have been prevented at multiple points along the way. The documentary also looks at the controversial death penalty trial that followed.
After being found guilty of six capital felony charges including murder and sexual assault, those involved in this heinous crime had their death sentences commuted in August 2015 when Connecticut abolished the death penalty.
This gripping HBO special is both informative and heart-wrenching but should be watched by anyone interested in learning more about this heartbreaking story that will never be forgotten.
