Connecticut State Division of Criminal Justice

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

Criminal Justice Commission

Via Microsoft Teams

Minutes of the Meeting of February 1, 2024

The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:01 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 December 14, 2023 meeting. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it 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 New London, Geographical Area No. 10/Juvenile Matters.

Paul J. Narducci, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of New London, 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. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The executive session began at 1:03 p.m. Commission member Attorney Reginald Dwayne Betts joined the executive session at 1:05 p.m.

The executive session ended at 2:37 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 Tashia Sowell for conditional appointment as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney at the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New London, Geographical Area No. 10/Juvenile Matters. 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 Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed 6-0, with Attorney Betts not present for the vote.

There being no further business, Attorney Berke moved to adjourn the meeting. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed 6-0, with Attorney Betts not present for the vote. The meeting adjourned at 2:38 p.m.