Criminal Justice Commission
Via Microsoft Teams
Minutes of the Meeting of May 15, 2023
The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
In addition to Justice McDonald, participating in the meeting were: Attorneys Robert Berke, Scott Murphy and Moy Ogilvie and Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.
Attorney Ogilvie moved to accept the minutes of the April 3, 2023 meeting. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Justice McDonald said the Commission was to interview candidates for four positions of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney in Judicial District of Hartford, Geographical Area (G.A.) 14, Hartford, one position in the Judicial District of Hartford, G.A. 12, Manchester, one position in the Judicial District of Stamford, one position in the Judicial District of New Haven, G.A. 7, Meriden, and consideration for appointment of Attorney Robert J. Scheinblum, Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, Appellate Bureau.
Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott, New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr., Stamford/Norwalk State’s Attorney Paul J. Ferencek and Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Janice duFrend were present to participate in the interviews of candidates for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney.
Attorney Murphy moved to enter into executive session to discuss candidates for the positions. Attorney Berke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The executive session began at 9:09 a.m.
At 12:41 p.m., the Commission adjourned briefly for a lunch break. The executive session resumed at 1:30 p.m.
The executive session ended at 4:20 p.m. Justice McDonald announced that no motions were made or votes taken during the executive session. Attorney Ogilvie moved to approve Jordan Amendola, Kassie DeFala, Owen Kivela, Whitney Lorella and Kenisha Sanderson for conditional appointments as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys in the Judicial District of Hartford. The appointments will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individuals selected have 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 individuals selected to serve as prosecutorial officials within the Division of Criminal Justice. Attorney Berke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Attorney Murphy moved to approve Joseph Corselli for conditional appointment as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk. The appointment 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 Berke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Attorney Berke Murphy moved to approve Michael J. Errichetti for conditional appointment as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New Haven, G.A. 7, Meriden. The appointment 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. Chief State’s Attorney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to approve the appointment of Attorney Robert J. Scheinblum to the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, Appellate Bureau. Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Scheinblum is rescinding his recent retirement and resuming state service in response to a significant operational need within the Appellate Bureau for experienced prosecutors. The rescinding of his retirement complies with provisions of the current union contract and Department of Administrative Services policies. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Attorney Ogilvie moved to adjourn the meeting. Attorney Berke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.