Attorneys Cite Mitigating Factors in Deadly Conn. Home Invasion

Published December 01, 2015

Photo released in Feb. 2010 by the Connecticut Department of Correction shows convicted killer Steven Hayes. (AP)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Attorneys for a Connecticut man convicted of a deadly home invasion say he should be spared the death penalty because he was in a "state of intense rage, despair and confusion" during the crimes and is deeply remorseful for what he did.

Attorneys for Steven Hayes filed a list of mitigating factors in New Haven Superior Court on Wednesday.

Hayes was convicted last month of murdering a woman and her two daughters in a home invasion in Cheshire in 2007.

The defense also cited Hayes' abusive childhood and history of drug addiction. Hayes' lawyers say his co-defendant was the mastermind.

The jury must weigh the mitigating factors against aggravating factors cited by prosecutors, including the heinous and cruel nature of the deaths.

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