By Stephanie Reitz
The Associated Press
HARTFORD, Conn. — A new poll says even some Connecticut residents who oppose the death penalty think it’s appropriate for a man convicted in the 2007 Cheshire home invasion killings.
The Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday comes as Steven Hayes faces sentencing this month. He’s been convicted of murder, rape and other charges for his role in the deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, Hayley and Michaela.
Quinnipiac’s poll says 65 percent of those surveyed support the death penalty. That’s up from 61 percent two years ago, and it’s the highest number in a decade.
More than three of every four people supported capital punishment for Hayes.
Quinnipiac polled 1,721 registered voters and has a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points. The five-day poll started Oct. 7, two days after Hayes was convicted.