Pastor testifies in Conn. home invasion trial

Pastor testifies in Conn. home invasion trial

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A pastor has recalled a Connecticut man facing a possible death sentence for a gruesome home invasion as a smart and caring teenager, but admitted he saw only one side of him and was heartbroken by the crime.

John Bubar testified Friday in the sentencing phase of Joshua Komisarjevsky’s trial. Komisarjevsky was convicted of killing Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters. The girls died of smoke inhalation after the house was doused in gas and set on fire.

Bubar said Komisarjevsky was so smart he could take apart and reassemble engines. He said he would volunteer to help others, such as the time he cut his firewood.

But under cross-examination, he said the home invasion was “horrible” and he was heartbroken for Komisarjevsky and Dr. William Petit, the sole survivor.