Connecticut State Division of Criminal Justice

Brandon Letman Convicted of 2016 Murders of Ashley Spence and Cameron Mounds Jr. in Hartford

Criminal Justice Commission

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Minutes of the Meeting of December 14, 2023

The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m.

In addition to Justice McDonald, participating in the meeting were: The Honorable Melanie L. Cradle, Attorneys Robert Berke, Scott Murphy and Moy Ogilvie and Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.

Attorney Berke moved to accept the minutes of the November 20, 2023 meeting. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed 5-0, with Judge Cradle abstaining.

The Commission discussed proposed 2024 regular meeting dates for the Criminal Justice Commission and agreed to the schedule. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to approve the 2024 regular meeting dates and Attorney Murphy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Justice McDonald said the Commission was to interview candidates for one position of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Litchfield, two positions of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New Haven, and consideration of two Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys.

David R. Shannon, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Litchfield, John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of New Haven, and Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Janice duFrend were present to participate in the interviews of candidates for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney.

Attorney Ogilvie moved to enter into executive session to discuss candidates for the positions. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The executive session began at 2:36 p.m.

The executive session ended at 5:51 p.m. Justice McDonald announced that no motions were made or votes taken during the executive session. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to approve Alessandra Santacroce for conditional appointment as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney at the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Litchfield, Geographical Area No. 18, Torrington. The appointment will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individual selected has successfully completed background checks and that no adverse findings were found in the background checks which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individual selected to serve as a prosecutorial official within the Division of Criminal Justice. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Judge Cradle moved to approve Krista Minniti for conditional appointment as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney at the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New Haven, Geographical Area No. 23, New Haven. The appointment will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individual selected has successfully completed background checks and that no adverse findings were found in the background checks which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individual selected to serve as a prosecutorial official within the Division of Criminal Justice. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion and it passed 5-1.

Attorney Ogilvie moved to approve Dean Hanafin for conditional appointment as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney at the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New Haven, Geographical Area No. 7, Meriden. The appointment will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individual selected has successfully completed background checks and that no adverse findings were found in the background checks which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individual selected to serve as a prosecutorial official within the Division of Criminal Justice. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Judge Cradle moved to authorize the hiring of Jack Fischer as Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney. It will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individual selected has successfully completed a background check and that no adverse findings were found in the background check which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individual selected to serve as a prosecutorial official within the Division. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to authorize the hiring of Taylor Johnson as Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney. It will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individual selected has successfully completed a background check and that no adverse findings were found in the background check which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individual selected to serve as a prosecutorial official within the Division. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Chief State’s Attorney Griffin made a motion to add an item to the agenda. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Having added the agenda item, Chief State's Attorney Griffin made a motion to ratify the appointment of Tashia Sowell as Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

There being no further business, Attorney Murphy moved to adjourn the meeting. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.