Book's release causes uproar at library

Cheshire (WTNH) - Cheshire experiences an uproar over a book detailing the 2007 Cheshire home invasion tragedy. There is emotional debate over if the library in town should carry the publication.

"Why make it worse? Put it in our own library, in our own town, in a town that is still trying to heal, with money we're paying for. I don't want to pay for that book," said Kimberly Mach of Cheshire.

The issue centers on the fact that the Cheshire Library has ordered two copies of the book. More than two dozen folks showed up to protest the decision at a board meeting Tuesday night. One board member is outraged the Brian McDonald book was chosen.

"This has nothing to do with First Amendment, this has nothing to do with book banning, this has nothing to with trying to censor a book. This has to do with what is right; this has to do with protecting a member of our community who has experienced an atrocity in his family," said Board Member Marilyn Bartoli.

Because of a large showing, the meeting was tabled until Thursday.

"If I were to make any decision, it would be after people made their opinion known," said Library Director Ramona Harten.

Harten said the decision was not an easy one but she feels she's performing the duties asked of her as the head of the town library providing the free exchange of information.

"Any one of our 100,000 books might be deemed unsuitable by someone in the community. We leave it up to the residents and library users to decide what is appropriate for themselves and their children," said Harten.

Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes face the possibility of the death penalty if convicted in the 2007 killings of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela. Hawke-Petit's husband, Dr. William Petit, was beaten but survived.