Brian McDonald

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according to members of her church who were interviewed by The New York Times, Jennifer Hawke-Petit believed fervently that the death penalty was wrong and probably signed A Declaration of Life agreement. Along with her two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11, Hawke-Petit was murdered during the Cheshire home-invasion.

today her husband, Dr. William Petit, the lone survivor of that home-invasion, asked the people of Connecticut to support pro-death penalty candidates in the upcoming elections.

Petit's remarks came after a pretrial hearing where a judge heard arguments by the defense that Gov. Jodi Rell violated their client's rights when she vetoed legislation that would have abolished the death penalty in Connecticut. Rell cites Dr. Petit in the press release explaining her veto.

the trial of steven hayes, one of the two men accused of murdering Petit's family, begins sept. 13th. hayes is being tried for capital crimes and could face the death penalty.