Survivor of Conn. family slayings calls for probe

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — As the lone survivor of a deadly 2007 Connecticut home invasion called for an investigation into why prison officials let a writer interview one of the defendants for a book, the state attorney general said Friday a probe has already begun.

William Petit, whose wife and daughters were killed in their Cheshire home, said he wants Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to investigate what Petit calls "gaffes" and "miscues" involving Joshua Komisarjevsky's interviews with writer Brian McDonald.

"One would think they would be the top of their game when they are in charge of two of the most infamous prisoners," Petit said.

Petit said he also wants the attorney general to look into whether there was any financial exchange involving the interviews.

"We understand and respect Dr. Petit's concerns, which we share, and we will do everything we can to address them," Blumenthal said in a statement. "An investigation has been under way to determine facts relating to Brian McDonald's interviewing Joshua Komisarjevsky."

Blumenthal declined further comment, citing a court gag order in the case.

McDonald recently published a book detailing Komisarjevsky's version of the events, in which he blames his co-defendant, Steven Hayes.

Komisarjevsky and Hayes could get the death sentence if convicted in the killings of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela.

"I didn't do anything wrong," McDonald said, declining further comment.

A correction department spokesman declined comment, citing the gag order.

Petit also suggested Connecticut look at Virginia's criminal justice system, citing the planned execution of the mastermind of the deadly sniper attacks in the Washington, D.C., area within seven years of the crimes.

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Nov 06, 2009 - 7:40 p.m. EDT

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