Chief State’s Attorney Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of June 13, 2024

Sheraton Hartford South Hotel
100 Capital Boulevard
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The meeting was called to order at 12:52 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.

Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney of Administration, Personnel and Finance John J. Russotto; Deputy Chief State’s Attorney of Operations Kevin Lawlor; Deputy Chief State’s Attorney, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr.; State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), Joseph T. Corradino (Bridgeport), David R. Applegate (Danbury),  Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), Christian M. Watson (New Britain), John P. Doyle, Jr. (New Haven), Paul J. Narducci (New London), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland) and Maureen T. Platt (Waterbury).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Kathryn W. Bare, Gail P. Hardy and Brett J. Salafia; Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincent Duva, Jonathan Knight, Jacqueline McMahon and David Kutzner; Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy J. Sugrue, Manager of Research and Planning Kyle Baudoin, Director of Information Technology Naveen Prathikantam; and Marisa DePhillips, Executive Secretary to the Chief State’s Attorney.

State’s Attorney Corradino moved to accept the minutes of the May 8, 2023 meeting. State’s Attorney Kelley seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto provided an update on the budget and efforts to continue filling vacancies in the Division.

Chief State’s Attorney Griffin discussed recent conditional appointments by the Criminal Justice Commission to the Appellate Bureau in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said the Division’s first class of paid summer interns is a talented and diverse group of students. Starting in September, seven fellows would be joining the Division, he said.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Sugrue and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Duva led discussion about the punishment scheme for juvenile motor vehicle theft, specifically Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-119c.

Regarding training matters, State’s Attorney Gailor noted that the National District Attorneys Association conference will be held in July in Boise, Idaho. The 2024 NDAA Summer Summit is dedicated to exploring “The Prosecutor’s Blueprint to Safeguard Victims and Elevate Their Voices through Enhanced Prosecution, Protection, and Prevention Strategies.” Chief State’s Attorney Griffin reminded State’s Attorneys that the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Camp Justice 2024 will be held July 22-26. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Lawlor said he is working with Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa M. D’Angelo on creating a two-day training program for newer prosecutors on the handling of child sexual assault cases. The training would be followed by regular in-person discussions about such cases.

Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Kutzner said he is preparing a power point presentation regarding the Division's work on legislative matters during the Connecticut General Assembly's 2024 Regular Session.

In other business, Director of Information Technology Naveen Prathikantam said he recently met with State’s Attorneys Platt and Mahoney regarding the process of obtaining videos that are not recorded with Axon. Also, he said he is working with Executive Assistant State’s Attorney D’Angelo on scheduling training for the eprosecutor program.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by State’s Attorney Platt and seconded by State’s Attorney Ferencek. The meeting was adjourned at 1:37 p.m.