Criminal Justice Commission
Minutes of Meeting
March 30, 2009
The Criminal Justice Commission met on Monday, March 30, 2009 at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill for the purpose of discussing the Commission’s Affirmative Action Plan, complaints received from the public and the Commission activity regarding six State’s Attorneys and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operations who are up for reappointment July 1, 2009, 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 was Patricia Alston the Commission’s Affirmative Action Officer. The meeting, open to the public, commenced at approximately 9:15 a.m.
Judge Bishop asked about the status of the legislation that would make the Commission part of the Division for administrative purposes. At present the Commission is independent in the Executive Branch. The Commission members agreed that it needs to remain autonomous. The status of the juvenile prosecutor’s bill was also discussed.
A motion was made by Attorney Moore to accept the minutes of the Monday, November 10, 2008 conference call meeting. The motion was seconded by Attorney Horan and was approved unanimously.
Regarding the Shingleton complaint, Justice Palmer said he received a letter from a “Mertie Terry” and distributed copies. Justice Palmer asked the Commission’s Secretary to respond to a letter from Brushann Thompson telling him that his complaint will be referred to State’s Attorney David Cohen.
Ms. Alston then spoke to the Commission regarding the Affirmative Action Plan. She called the Commission’s attention to the language on page 11 concerning the use of availability sources recommended by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Attorney Turco suggested that the language might be better in a cover letter rather than in the plan. Ms. Alston was asked to notify the Commission members about speaking requests from law schools or law student organization at which they could speak or attend to talk about prosecution as a career. The members will review the proposed plan.
A discussion was held about hiring minorities and the process by which per diems are selected and appointed. Ms. Alston will get a list of the per diems hired in the past three years.
The Commission then discussed the procedure for the re-appointment and appointments of the State’s Attorneys and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operation whose terms expire June 30, 2009. It was decided to publish the notice in the Law Journal for all the State’s Attorneys coming up for reappointment and to advertise for the Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operation position.
At approximately 10:55 a.m. Judge Bishop 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 11:25 p.m.
At approximately 11:25 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
Kevin T. Kane
Secretary, Criminal Justice Commission