Criminal Justice Commission
Legislative Office Building
Hartford, Connecticut
Minutes of the Meeting of July 18, 2022
The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m.
In addition to Justice McDonald, participating in the meeting were: The Honorable Melanie L. Cradle, attorneys Robert Berke, Scott Murphy and Moy Ogilvie and Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin. Also present was Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Janice duFrend.
Attorney Ogilvie moved to accept the minutes of the June 20, 2022 meeting. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Justice McDonald proposed using smaller components of the Commission in additional monthly Criminal Justice Commission meetings in the next few months to interview candidates for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys in an effort to address an inordinate number of vacancies in the Division of Criminal Justice. The Commission members agreed with the proposal.
Justice McDonald said the Commission was to consider the appointment of State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Danbury. At 9:21 a.m., Justice McDonald invited Attorney David R. Applegate to make opening remarks. After the remarks, the interview began at 9:23 a.m. and ended at 9:59 a.m. At 10 a.m., Justice McDonald invited Attorney Deborah Mabbett to make opening remarks and the interview began at 10:06 a.m. The interview concluded at 11:02 a.m.
After a short recess, the Commission resumed its public meeting at 11:11 a.m. when Justice McDonald invited Attorney Michelle Manning to make opening remarks. The interview began at 11:16 a.m. and ended at 12:23 p.m. Justice McDonald then invited Attorney Colleen Zingaro to make opening remarks and the interview began at 12:31 p.m. The interview ended at 1:19 p.m.
Once the interviews ended, public comment began at 1:20 p.m. Three individuals provided public comment. When the speakers finished at 1:30 p.m., Justice McDonald reviewed the sign-up list in an effort to assure that all who had signed up were given the opportunity to speak. Justice McDonald thanked members of the public for their patience and for participating in the meeting.
Attorney Ogilvie moved to enter into executive session to discuss the appointment of State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Danbury, and to interview four candidates for four positions of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney in the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Fairfield. Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield, was present to participate in the interviews of candidates for Deputy Chief State’s Attorney. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The executive session began at 1:30 p.m.
The executive session ended at 4:24 p.m., and at that time, Justice McDonald announced that no motions were made or votes taken during the executive session. Justice McDonald thanked all the candidates for their participation in the Criminal Justice Commission meeting and for their service to the State of Connecticut.
Attorney Ogilvie moved to approve Patrick James, Stephen Lojo, James Rotondo and Candice Solis as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys in the Judicial District of Fairfield, G.A. No. 2, Bridgeport. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Attorney Murphy moved to appoint David R. Applegate as State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Danbury, for the remainder of the eight-year term, which expires on June 30, 2026. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Judge Cradle moved to adjourn the meeting. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m.