Chief State’s Attorney Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of September 6, 2023
The meeting was called to order at 12:40 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), David R. Applegate (Danbury), Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), Michael A. Gailor (Middletown), Christian M. Watson (New Britain), John P. Doyle, Jr. (New Haven), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Anne F. Mahoney (Windham) and, by telephone, Maureen T. Platt (Waterbury). In addition, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Karen Roberg was in attendance on behalf of David R. Shannon (Litchfield).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Kathryn W. Bare, Lisa D’Angelo, and Gail Hardy; Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney David Kutzner, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy J. Sugrue, Legislative Liaison Anne Cournoyer, Manager of Research and Planning Kyle Baudoin, and Chief Inspector Michael Sullivan.
Sergeant Luke Larue and Detective Alvin Chen from the Connecticut State Police, Hate Crimes Unit, provided a brief overview of the work their unit does and a description of the unit’s current projects. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin inquired as to what the Division could do to assist their efforts. The officers indicated that their primary Division contact is Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Brett Salafia and that they would find it helpful to also have a contact person in each Judicial District to discuss specific cases. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin stated that such information would be provided to them.
Professors Richard A. Wilson and Sanchin Pandya from the University of Connecticut School of Law gave a presentation on Connecticut hate crimes statutes and research they currently are conducting about hate crimes and hate crime prosecution in Connecticut. The professors noted that they will be reaching out to all Division prosecutors by email to solicit volunteers to participate in a one-hour interview concerning the prosecution of hate crimes, and are seeking input from prosecutors who have great familiarity with Connecticut’s statutes on this topic as well as those who do not.
Joseph DiTunno, Director – Family Services, Judicial Branch-CSSD presented information concerning Public Act 23-106, An Act Strengthening the Protections Against and Response to Domestic Violence, which expanded the alert notification/GPS program for domestic violence offenders statewide. The statewide expansion of the GPS monitoring program will be completed over the next two fiscal years. Following the conclusion of Director DiTunno’s presentation at 2:13 p.m., there was a break in the Chief State’s Attorneys meeting and a meeting of the Division of Criminal Justice Advisory Board was held.
At 2:30 p.m., Chief State’s Attorney Griffin resumed the Chief State’s Attorney’s meeting. The minutes of the August 2, 2023 meeting were approved.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney John Russotto reported on the Division’s budget. He indicated that there are presently 19 vacant Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney positions, three Inspector positions, five clerical positions, and one administrative position, for a total of 28 vacancies. This is down from a high of 65 vacancies in the last year. Deputy Chief Russotto noted that the Division also currently has 14 positions that have been filled where the future employee has not yet completed the hiring and/or background process. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin advised the State’s Attorneys to ask prospective inspector candidates Giglio questions during the interview process, namely, whether there is anything in their background that reflects on truth and veracity.
On the topic of legislative matters, Legislative Liaison Anne Cournoyer remarked that she will be sending out requests for legislative proposals soon. She reminded the group that this will be a short legislative session, which may impact what issues the Division chooses to move forward with. She does not anticipate a lengthy legislative package this time around. Cournoyer noted that she will be working on building coalitions with other entities and individuals to help shepherd our ideas through the legislative process. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin emphasized the importance of the recently enacted gun legislation, asked that each Judicial District prioritize prosecution of gun crimes, and designate a gun prosecutor. In smaller districts, Chief State’s Attorney Griffin suggested that, if designating a gun prosecutor was not feasible, the State’s Attorney should be the point person for gun cases appearing on the docket. Executive Assistant State’s Attorney D’Angelo added that the sentencing commission has already started talking about proposed legislation for the next legislative session on persistent felony offenders, a constitutional amendment on cash bonds, and hate crimes. Chief State’s Attorney asked the State’s Attorneys to start thinking about what the Division’s position should be on a constitutional amendment to eliminate the right to cash bail.
Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Kutzner solicited feedback on the last legislative session. State’s Attorney Kelley remarked that the communication from the Chief State’s Attorney’s office was good. State’s Attorney Doyle noted that Legislative Liaison Cournoyer’s daily updates were helpful. State’s Attorney Doyle also commented briefly on a recent positive experience he had before the Board of Pardons and Parole. He received the necessary materials in advance and was provided an opportunity to speak. State’s Attorney Doyle reported that the commutation was denied. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin noted that he and Executive Assistant State’s Attorney D’Angelo met with the new Board chairperson and he believes there is room for further developments that will align with the Division’s interests.
Returning to the issue of a proposed constitutional amendment to the right to bail, the group engaged in a discussion exploring various points of view on the topic. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin urged the group to continue to think about the issue carefully, emphasized its importance, and commended the group on having a good opening discussion. The Chief noted that the Division has a little time before the next legislative session begins in February.
Moving on to the topic of training, Executive Assistant State’s Attorney D’Angelo stated that trainings later this month will focus on Public Act 23-53, the recently enacted gun legislation, but that details are still being finalized given the length and complexity of the legislation and the fact that Division and Judicial Branch personnel continue to work on numerous implementation efforts.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto provided an update on the Criminal Justice Commission. He reported that the upcoming meeting on September 18, 2023, will consist of interviews for two Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney positions in New Britain and six Division fellows. Future Commission meetings are scheduled to take place October 16, 2023, November 20, 2023, and December 18, 2023. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin asked the State’s Attorneys to provide all prosecutor candidates with a copy of the Connecticut Prosecution Standards.
On the topic of recruitment and training opportunities, Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Hardy had no additional information to report at this time.
Jacqueline P. McMahon, Assistant State’s Attorney, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, gave a short presentation on e-warrants for blood & police phlebotomy and solicited input on whether the State’s Attorneys wished to be included in this evolving area. The State’s Attorneys agreed that they did.
Chief State’s Attorney Griffin informed the State’s Attorneys that copies of the Connecticut Prosecution Standards are now in the state library and all courthouse libraries.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:33 p.m.