Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of October 20, 2014
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The meeting was called to order at 12:40 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.

In attendance were: State’s Attorneys David I. Cohen (Stamford-Norwalk), Michael Dearington (New Haven), Patricia M. Froehlich (Windham), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford),  Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia-Milford), Peter A. McShane (Middlesex), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Michael L. Regan (New London), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), David Shepack (Litchfield) and John Smriga (Fairfield); Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto; and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John H. Malone (New Britain).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Austin, Jr., and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.

State’s Attorney Froehlich made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 22, 2014, meeting. The motion was seconded by State’s Attorney Cohen and passed unanimously.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto asked that all interviews and associated paperwork for open positions be completed as soon as possible to expedite the filling of those positions.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the State’s Attorneys’ Legislative Committee will meet in the near future to review proposals for the 2015 legislative session.

State’s Attorney Platt reported on the survey being conducted to assess the status of sexual assault examination kits held by police departments. The State’s Attorneys are asked to offer their input as to how the Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations can refine its regulations.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported on the status of untested evidence being held by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Forensic Science Laboratory. The State’s Attorneys were asked where possible to check if testing is warranted.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane distributed a list prepared by the Governor’s Office of authorized rewards for review by the State’s Attorneys.

State’s Attorney Froehlich reported that the Training Committee is focusing on the 2015 Annual Professional Development Conference for Prosecutors. The statewide program will focus on issues related to mobile devices. The committee also is planning a training program that will include a tour of a correctional facility.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Judicial Branch is concerned about transcripts not being ordered as required for certain sentencing proceedings. He will follow up with individual State’s Attorneys. The Branch is examining ways to further automate the process of ordering the transcripts required for the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle participated in a panel discussion concerning allegations of civil rights violations by police. The State’s Attorneys are asked to notify the FBI and United States Attorney when such incidents occur.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane thanked the State’s Attorneys who provided input for a panel on campus sexual assaults. State’s Attorney McShane will distribute copies of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) he has signed with Wesleyan University.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported the Forensic Science Laboratory is about to initiate a test of “rapid DNA” technology, which allows for much faster analysis of physical evidence as to the existence of useable DNA.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto announced the appointment of AnneMarie Paone-Mullin as Director of Human Resources. Susan Claus will remain as a rehired retiree on a part-time basis to assist in the transition.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane announced that the third deck of Cold Case Playing Cards will be announced at a news conference on October 21, 2014.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported he will be attending public hearings with the Victim Rights Enforcement Advisory Commission. Suggestions for the commission’s consideration include expanding the crimes for which victims may receive assistance from court advocates and provision of services to victims of cases in the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters.

State’s Attorney Sedensky reported that the Department of Children and Families received a grant to deal with human trafficking issues, but that further information was not yet available.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Froehlich made a motion to adjourn the meeting. State’s Attorney Lawlor seconded the motion and it passed unanimously at 1:57 p.m.