Criminal Justice Commission

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Minutes of the Meeting of June 6, 2024

Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.

In addition to Chief State's Attorney Griffin, participating in the meeting were: The Honorable Melanie L. Cradle and Attorneys Scott Murphy and Moy Ogilvie.

Attorney Murphy moved to accept the minutes of the May 2, 2024 meeting. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Chief State’s Attorney Griffin said the Commission was to interview candidates for two positions of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney/Apprentice Prosecutor at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, Appellate Bureau and to consider six candidates as Special Deputy Assistant State's Attorney/Fellow.

Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy F. Costello and Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Janice duFrend were present to participate in the interviews of candidates for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney.

Chief State’s Attorney Griffin 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 9:06 a.m.

The executive session ended at 11:16 a.m. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin announced that no motions were made or votes taken during the executive session. Attorney Murphy moved to approve Nicholas Scarlett and Rebecca Zeuschner for conditional appointments as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys/Apprentice Prosecutors at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, Appellate Bureau. The appointments 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. The apprentice prosecutor is a certified legal intern pursuant to the rules of the Superior Court and shall advance to the position of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney once they gain admission to the Connecticut bar within one year of the date of their graduation from law school. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Attorney Ogilvie moved to approve Lena Arnold, Guiliana DiMeo, Olivia S. Jones, Timothy Morytko, Ryan Pawlak, and Leah Schwartz for conditional appointments as Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys/Fellows. The appointments 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. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed 3-0 with Chief State’s Attorney Griffin abstaining.

There being no further business, Judge Cradle moved to adjourn the meeting. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:18 a.m.