Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of November 17, 2014
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The meeting was called to order at 12:41 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), Brian Preleski (New Britain), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), David Shepack (Litchfield) and John Smriga (Fairfield) and Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto.

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Brian Austin, Jr., and Michael A. Gailor, legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette, Director of Human Resources AnneMarie Paone-Mullin and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.

State’s Attorney Froehlich made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2014, meeting. The motion was seconded by State’s Attorney Platt and passed unanimously.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane introduced AnneMarie Paone-Mullin, who was hired recently as Director of Human Resources.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on the status of the budget. All requests for filling positions will require detailed justification. It was noted that despite a reported decline in the crime rate, the actual workload and demands on DCJ personnel continues to increase.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane introduced Guy M. Vallaro, Ph.D., Director of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Division of Scientific Services, Lucinda Lopes-Phelan and Carll Ladd for a presentation on the status of services provided by the Division of Scientific Services. Draft guidelines for forensic service requests were distributed; the State’s Attorneys are asked to provide any comments to Dr. Vallaro. There was also a presentation on “rapid DNA” technology, which was described as a time-saving procedure that will be utilized in property crime cases where no suspect has been identified.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the State’s Attorneys’ Legislative Committee is continuing its work on proposed legislation for the 2015 session of the General Assembly.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported on the recommended procedure for addressing requests for investigative files in cases where the case against a specific individual has been dismissed but the investigation remains open.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Austin reported that all employees (as well as interns and volunteers working in DCJ offices) who have access or exposure to COLLECT information must receive written training and complete a form. The forms are to be returned to the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office by November 26, 2014.

State’s Attorney Platt thanked the State’s Attorneys for their participation in a survey concerning sexual assault test kits retained by police departments. The State’s Attorneys will receive a list with the numbers of kits held by departments in their jurisdictions to review the cases to determine what, if any, action is warranted. The State’s Attorneys are to report their conclusions to State’s Attorney Platt.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that a training program for juvenile prosecutors and/or juvenile investigators scheduled for November 18, 2014, has openings.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Cohen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 1:46 p.m.