Supporters of the lone survivor of a fatal home invasion in Cheshire two years ago are calling for a boycott of a new book that details the crimes against Dr. William Petit and his family, the New Haven Register reports.
Brian McDonald’s book, “In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking True Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood,” is based on interviews he conducted with defendant Joshua Komisarjevsky in prison and extensive letters Komisarjevsky wrote to him. The book has been out for about two weeks and people were divided. Some stores sold out of the book quickly. Some bookstore customers said they would absolutely not buy the book.
Opponents of the book say it profits from the tragedy, the Register reports. Petit's wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and their daughters, Michaela, 11, and Hayley, 17, died during the home invasion in July 2007. Petit was beaten and tied up but managed to escape as his house went up in flames.
Opponents say they have Petit's support. According to the Register, Petit posted his support for a boycott on his Facebook page.
Komisarjevsky, 29, of Cheshire, and Steven J. Hayes, 46, of Winsted, are charged with murder, arson, sexual assault and other counts. In McDonald’s book, Komisarjevsky is quoted as blaming Hayes for the deaths, although Komisarjevsky is also quoted saying he himself planned the home invasion.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty. Hayes is scheduled to go on trial first, in January.
