Criminal Justice Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of September 24, 2020
The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:04 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 Justice McDonald and 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 Betts moved to accept the minutes of the July 14, 2020, meeting. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
At 9:15 a.m., Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Stacey Miranda was invited to present her opening statement regarding appointment as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford after which the Commission proceeded with its interview. The interview concluded at 10:07 a.m.
At 10:09 a.m., Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Scott was invited to present his opening statement regarding appointment as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford after which the Commission proceeded with its interview. The interview concluded at 11:24 a.m.
At 11:25 a.m., Executive Assistant State’s Sharmese L. Walcott was invited to present her opening statement regarding appointment as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford after which the Commission proceeded with its interview. The interview ended at 12:59 p.m.
At 1:00 p.m., Senior Assistant State’s Attorney David Zagaja was invited to present his opening statement regarding appointment as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford after which the Commission proceeded with its interview. The interview concluded at 2:34 p.m.
Justice McDonald declared the meeting in recess at 2:35 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 3:01 p.m. All members of the Commission were present.
Justice McDonald said recently passed legislation required the Commission to nominate a Deputy Chief State’s Attorney/Inspector General by Oct. 1. The nomination would then be forwarded to the legislature’s Judiciary Committee for its consideration and report to the General Assembly. Justice McDonald said since the position did not previously exist, there was no precedent for what questions would be asked by Commission members and what answers the candidates would provide.
At 3:03 p.m., Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney C. Robert Satti Jr. was unable to immediately participate due to technical difficulties with the audio connection. At 3:07 p.m., New Britain State’s Attorney Brian W. Preleski was invited to present his opening statement regarding the nomination of the Deputy Chief State’s Attorney/Inspector General position after which Justice McDonald, Judge Cradle and Attorneys Berke, Ogilvie, Betts and Murphy proceeded with the commission’s interview. Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo is not part of the voting process for the position. State’s Attorney Preleski’s interview concluded at 4:04 p.m.
Justice McDonald declared the meeting in recess at 4:05 p.m. At 4:09 p.m., Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney C. Robert Satti Jr. was invited to present his opening statement regarding the nomination of the Deputy Chief State’s Attorney/Inspector General position after which voting members of the commission proceeded with an interview. The interview concluded at 4:52 p.m.
Justice McDonald thanked members of the public for participating. Each of the seven speakers giving public comment were given a three-minute limit to comment on each position (for a total of six minutes). Public comment concluded at 5:15 p.m.
Attorney Murphy made a motion to go into executive session to discuss the appointment of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford and the nomination for Deputy Chief State’s Attorney/Inspector General. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The Commission reconvened in public session at 6:52 p.m. Justice McDonald announced that no motions were made or votes taken during the executive session. He also thanked the candidates for applying for the positions, the commission for its work and the public for its patience during the long hearing.
Attorney Betts moved to appoint Sharmese L. Walcott as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford for the eight-year term commencing June 30, 2020. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed on a vote of 6-1, with Attorney Berke in opposition.
Attorney Betts then moved to nominate Brian W. Preleski as Deputy Chief State’s Attorney/Inspector General. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion. The motion failed when the vote deadlocked 3-3, with Attorneys Berke, Cradle and Murphy in opposition.
Attorney Berke moved to nominate C. Robert Satti Jr. as Deputy Chief State’s Attorney/Inspector General. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion. The motion failed when the vote deadlocked 3-3, with Justice McDonald and Attorneys Betts and Ogilvie in opposition.
Justice McDonald said due to the Oct. 1 deadline for submitting a nomination, he recommended that the Commission submit the names of both Attorneys Preleski and Satti to the Judiciary Committee for its consideration. No members of the Commission objected to Justice McDonald’s recommendation.
Justice McDonald said both candidates are extraordinarily accomplished and that the Judiciary Committee would have a difficult time choosing between them.
There being no further business, Attorney Murphy moved to adjourn. Attorney Berke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.