Connecticut State Division of Criminal Justice

Report of the Office of Inspector General Regarding Police-Involved Use of Force by Connecticut State Police in Brooklyn on May 9, 2023

Chief State's Attorney's Meeting

Minutes of March 23, 2009, Meeting

In attendance:  Kevin Kane, Paul Murray, John Russotto, John Smriga for Jonathan Benedict, James Bernardi for David Cohen, John Connelly, Patricia Froehlich, Matthew Gedansky, Gail Hardy, Kevin Lawlor, Timothy Liston, Michael Regan, Scott Murphy, Stephen Sedensky and David Shepack.

Also in attendance:  Judith Rossi.

The meeting started at approximately 12:30 p.m.  The minutes from the February 23, 2009, meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved.

1. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney John Russotto reported on his testimony at the Appropriations Sub-Committee hearing.

2. Legislation 2009

  • Recorded Confessions
  • Eyewitness Identification - sequential photos; grant from Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., may allow police departments to perform an objective study.

3. Prosecutorial Immunity - Discussion concerning U.S. Supreme Court decision in Van de Kamp v. Goldstein.

4. Discovery Requests - Procedures to respond to discovery requests in a more cost effective manner were discussed.

5. Immigration - State’s Attorney Scott Murphy discussed immigration detainers, including policies and procedures.

6. Chief State’s Attorney Kane advised that travel requests for NDAA events must be denied due to budget constraints.

7. State’s Attorney Matthew Gedansky discussed concerns regarding the sentence review bill and its impact on victims.

8. The status of “Raise the Age” legislation was discussed and the timing of its possible passage.  The Division presented an alternative with changes to the Youthful Offender law.  There will be fiscal notes issued on this legislation.

9. The Division is scheduled to provide testimony on habeas reform on March 26, 2009.  This legislation will provide fiscal savings to the State if passed.

10. Prosecutors’ annual training requirements must be focused on more local and/or in-house seminars due to budget constraints.

11. The Criminal Justice Commission is scheduled to meet on March 30, 2009, to discuss the reappointment process for State’s Attorneys.

12. The Judicial Marshals’ unofficial policy of prohibiting police officers from speaking with prisoners in lock-up on unrelated cases was discussed.

13. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Paul Murray discussed protective orders for non-family violence cases.  The Victim Advocates will prepare the paperwork in courts where they are located; the State’s Attorney’s office will be asked to prepare the forms in locations without a Victim Advocate.

14. Chief State’s Attorney Kane announced Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Murray’s recent decision to retire and offered his congratulations.

The meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.