Connecticut Murders: Christian Tour Director Pleads Life of Man Behind Petit Family Slaying
The director of a late 90s Christian tour for the Continentals, took the stand Tuesday in a plea to a jury for the life of a Connecticut man convicted of killing two daughters and their mother.
Mark Middlebrooks gave his testimony Tuesday, stating the integrity of the man inside the killer is worthy of having his life saved. He said of the convicted, Joshua Komisarjevsky, that he was an "outstanding" member of the group, working as a lighting technician while on tour in 1997.
Middlebrooks also said, the man is very remorseful and will one day have to explain his actions and behavior to his young 9-year-old daughter.
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“Josh’s life has value because I know who he is beneath all the circumstances,” Middlebrooks said, also adding Komisarjevsky would have to seek redemption.
Komisarjevsky was convicted of brutally killing Jennifer Hawke-Petite and her daughters in 2007 at their home. The killer tied up the victims for eight hours before he doused them in gasoline and set the house on fire.
Prosecutor Gary Nicholson asked Middlebrooks if the murders had any effects on him to which the tour promoter angrily answered, “It does have an effect on me. It has an effect on me. I resent that.”
Still making a case for the killer, Middlebrooks said the singer has parents and daughter that love him. To which Nicholson replied by asking whether or not Hitler had parents that loved him.
“I’m here to advocate for Josh’s life,” Middlebrooks told the jury and said Komisarjevsky had "great culpability for what has happened. I’m aware of his remorse."
Middlebrooks recalls the troubled man being in financial trouble when he joined the group and said “He responded so well to me and my leadership. We developed a trust. I didn’t have to worry about Josh.”
Komisarjevsky's sister testified as well, and said her brother used to sexually abuse her when she was young.
The defense said Komisarjevsky did not receive proper psychological treatment for his problems, and that he himself was sexually abused by a foster teen the family took in.
Komisarjevsky could face life in prison or the death penalty.
