Criminal Justice Commission
Via Microsoft Teams
Minutes of the Meeting of Thursday, May 2, 2024
The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
In addition to Justice McDonald, participating in the meeting were: The Honorable Melanie L. Cradle, Attorneys Scott J. Murphy, Moy Ogilvie, Robert Berke, and Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.
Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to accept the minutes of the March 7, 2024, meeting. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Justice McDonald said the Commission was to interview candidates for one (1) position of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Stamford, Geographical Area No. 1; and two (2) positions of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New Haven, GA. 23.
State’s Attorney Paul J. Ferencek of the Judicial District of Stamford, State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr., and Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Janice duFrend were present to participate in the interviews of candidates for the positions of 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 9:04 a.m.
At 10:25 a.m., the Commission adjourned briefly. After a short recess, the Commission resumed its executive session at 10:29 a.m.
The executive session ended at 1:35 p.m. Justice McDonald announced that no motions were made or votes taken during the executive session.
Justice McDonald advised that the meeting minutes of March 7, 2024, approved earlier in the session required correction to reflect accurately Commissioner Berke’s abstention. Thereafter, Attorney Ogilvie moved to accept the corrected minutes of March 7, 2024. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded that motion, which passed 5-0, with Commissioner Berke abstaining.
Attorney Ogilvie moved to approve Attorney Angelique Charon for conditional appointment as a Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney at the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Stamford, Geographical Area No. 1. 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. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed 5-0-1, with Commissioner Berke abstaining.
Attorney Murphy moved to approve Attorney Thomas Bransfield for conditional appointment as a Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney and Elisabeth Cretella for conditional appointment as an apprentice prosecutor at the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New Haven, Geographical Area No. 23. 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. 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. Attorney Berke seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to adjourn the meeting. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:39 p.m.