Petit Family Murder Trial Resumes, Sgt. Says Accused Steven Hayes Had Victims' Belongings in Grisly Ct. Home Invasion

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBS/AP) The trial of Connecticut home invasion murder suspect Steven Hayes has resumed after the presiding judge was forced to declare a two-day recess for medical purposes.

PICTURES: Petit Family Murders

State police Sergeant Karen Gabianelli testified Wednesday in New Haven Superior Court that the two men charged with killing the wife and daughters of Connecticut doctor William Petit and setting their home on fire were found in possession of the victims' belongings.

Gabianelli stated that a knapsack with one of the victim's initials on it was found in the pickup truck which suspects Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky attempted to use as a getaway vehicle.

The two men crashed the vehicle into police cars while fleeing the scene.

Hayes is believed to be the mastermind behind the 2007 Cheshire home invasion that claimed the lives of three members of the Petit family: Jennifer Hawke-Petit, Haley, 17, and Michaela, 11.

Prosecutors say both Hawke-Petit and Michaela were sexually assaulted before they were killed.

Hayes and Komisarjevsky could face the death penalty if convicted.

During the proceedings last week, Dr. William Petit, the sole survivor of the attack, was unable to keep from sobbing as photos of his daughters' bodies, images of rope used to tie the victims, ripped shorts, and other belongings of Petit's daughters were shown to the jury.

Judge Jon Blue decided to cut last Wednesday's proceedings short because it had been a long, difficult day, and the emotional trial which began last week had shaken jurors and the community to its core.

Complete Coverage of the Petit Family Murders on Crimesider.