Criminal Justice Commission

Meeting Minutes
October 28, 2008

The Criminal Justice Commission met on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill for the purpose of interviewing four candidates for the appointment of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk at G.A. No. 20 and interviewing five candidates for the appointment of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Domestic Violence for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk at G.A. No. 20 and any other business that may come before the Commission.

The following members were present: Justice Richard N. Palmer, Chairman, Judge Thomas Bishop, Attorney Maura Horan, Attorney Garrett Moore, Attorney Alfred Turco and Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane. Also present were Patricia Alston the Commission’s Affirmative Action Officer and State’s Attorney David Cohen.

The meeting, open to the public, commenced at approximately 9:25 a.m. A motion was made by Judge Bishop to accept the minutes of the Wednesday October 8, 2008 conference call meeting. The motion was seconded by Attorney Moran and was approved unanimously.

The Commission then took up the vacancy of the Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney for the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District at G.A. No. 20 and interviewed, in turn, Attorney Joane Merlain, Attorney Nichol Peco, Attorney Mary SanAngelo, and Attorney Jennifer Walters. Attorney Ryan Driscoll was scheduled to be interviewed but withdrew his name from consideration.

At approximately 12:00 p.m. the Commission recessed.

At approximately 12:15 p.m. the Commission resumed its public meeting.

The Commission then took up correspondence they received from Brushaun Thompson, an individual who has corresponded with the Division of Criminal Justice several times in the past. The Commission agreed that his complaint was not a matter for the Commission to take action on and his remedies lie with the court.

Patricia Alston then discussed the Commission’s Affirmative Action Plan and explained that it needs to be approved by the Commission and then distributed to the State’s Attorneys. The Commission then held a discussion concerning various elements of the draft of the plan and Ms. Alston will revise it and submit it at the next meeting.

At approximately 1:00 p.m. Attorney Horan moved that the Commission go into executive session to discuss a complaint filed by First Selectman Shingleton of Cromwell against State’s Attorney Liston of the Middlesex Judicial District. The motion was seconded by Attorney Turco and passed unanimously.

Following the executive session the Commission resumed its public meeting at approximately 1:30 p.m.

The Commission then took up the vacancy of the Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Domestic Violence for the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District at G.A. No. 20 and interviewed, in turn, Attorney Justina Kingen-Moore, Attorney Robin Richison, and Attorney Raymond Tuccio.  Attorney Nichol Peco and Attorney Mary SanAngelo who were interviewed earlier in the day were considered for both vacancies, and not interviewed a second time.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. Attorney Horan moved that the Commission go into executive session to discuss the appointments of the Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Domestic Violence for the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District at G.A. No. 20. The motion was seconded by Judge Bishop and passed unanimously.

Following the executive session the Commission resumed its public meeting at approximately 3:40 p.m.

Judge Bishop moved that Attorney Joane Merlain be appointed Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney for the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District at G.A. No. 20. The motion was seconded by Attorney Horan and passed unanimously.

Attorney Horan moved that Attorney Mary SanAngelo be appointed Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Domestic Violence for the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District at G.A. No. 20. The motion was seconded by Attorney Turco and passed unanimously.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. the meeting was adjourned. 

Kevin T. Kane
Secretary, Criminal Justice Commission