Criminal Justice Commission
Minutes of the Special Meeting of April 30, 2020
The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. In accordance with Executive Orders issued because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was conducted by electronic conference (ZOOM software). The public was provided notice of the meeting via the Division of Criminal Justice/Criminal Justice Commission website and invited to observe the proceedings and participate and/or submit public comment.
In addition to the public, participating in the meeting were: The Honorable Melanie L. Cradle, attorneys Robert Berke, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Scott Murphy and Moy Ogilvie and Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr.
Attorney Ogilvie moved to amend the agenda to add consideration of the minutes of the Special Meeting of April 28, 2020. Attorney Betts seconded the motion and it passed unanimously on a voice vote. Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo moved to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting of April 28, 2020. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that the Division of Criminal Justice is in the last phase of testing Judicial Branch data brought into the Case Management System. Once the testing is complete DCJ plans to go live with CMS in all locations, possibly by late June. This has been accomplished with an Information Technology staff of just four employees, who also must attend to all of the other DCJ IT responsibilities.
The Commission proceeded to interview Paul J. Ferencek and Michelle Manning for the Stamford/Norwalk State’s Attorney’s position. The Commission took a recess from 11:30 a.m. to 11:43 a.m. after which it interviewed Joseph C. Valdes.
The Commission concluded interviews at 1:10 p.m. There was no public comment. Justice McDonald noted that David Appelgate was interviewed at the Special Meeting of April 28, 2020, for both the Stamford/Norwalk and Fairfield State’s Attorney positions.
Attorney Ogilvie moved to enter executive session to discuss the candidates for Stamford/Norwalk State’s Attorney and to review and discuss the untimely completion of reports pursuant to Section 51-277a of the General Statutes concerning investigations of the use of deadly force in the Hartford Judicial District.
The Commission reconvened in public session at 2:55 p.m. Justice McDonald announced the Commission would recess until 7:00 p.m. when it would resume the executive session. The internet link to the public meeting remained open to allow the public to monitor for the resumption of the public session following the conclusion of the executive session.
The Commission resumed its executive session at 7:03 p.m. The executive session ended at 7:43 p.m. Justice McDonald announced that no motions were made or votes taken during the executive session.
Attorney Betts moved to appoint Joseph T. Corradino as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion and it passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Attorney Murphy moved to appoint Paul J. Ferencek as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed with five in favor and two opposed. The members voting in favor were Justice McDonald, Judge Cradle, attorneys Murphy and Ogilvie and Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo. The members voting in opposition were attorneys Berke and Betts.
Justice McDonald thanked the public and others who participated or observed the meeting for their patience and understanding. There being no further business, Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo moved to adjourn. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed on a unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.