Criminal Justice Commission
Via Microsoft Teams
Minutes of the Meeting of September 18, 2023
The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.
In addition to Justice McDonald, participating in the meeting were: The Honorable Melanie L. Cradle, Attorneys Robert Berke, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Scott Murphy, Moy Ogilvie and Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.
Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to accept the minutes of the July 19, 2023 and August 7, 2023 meetings. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Justice McDonald said the Commission was to interview candidates for two positions of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney at the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New Britain.
Christian M. Watson, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of New Britain and Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Janice duFrend were present to participate in the interviews of candidates for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney.
Attorney Berke 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 9:17 a.m.
The executive session ended at 12:07 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 Eamon Donovan and Lakshmi Swami for conditional appointments as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys at the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New Britain.
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 Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Chief State’s Attorney Griffin made a motion to add an item to the agenda seeking the appointments of six fellowship candidates. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Having added the agenda item, Chief State's Attorney Griffin made a motion to appoint six fellowship candidates - Elizabeth Bonheur, Angelique Charon, Steven Dekka-Giustina, Krista Minniti, Aimee Nicolich and Alessandra Santacroce. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Attorney Betts moved to adjourn the meeting. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12:11 p.m.