Chief State's Attorney's Meeting

Minutes of October 26, 2009 Meeting

In attendance: Kevin Kane, John Russotto, Leonard Boyle, David Cohen, John Connelly, Patricia Froehlich, Gail Hardy, Kevin Lawlor, Timothy Liston, Scott Murphy, Michael Regan, Stephen Sedensky, David Shepack, and John Smriga.

Also in attendance: Michael Gailor.

Invited Guests: Commissioner John Danaher, Department of Public Safety; Attorney Erika Tindill, Executive Director, and Robin Kramer, Project Coordinator, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and Assistant Attorney Generals Susan Quinn Cobb and Jane Rosenberg.

The minutes from the September 28, 2009, meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved.

Commissioner John Danaher, of the Department of Public Safety, advised of the current backlog at the State Forensics Lab and recommended that prosecutors prioritize requests.

Attorney Erika Tindill and Robin Kramer, of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV), discussed restraining and protective orders. Ms. Tindill announced a survey her organization will conduct with stakeholders in this area. CCADV will focus on ways to improve the system for victims of domestic violence.

Chief State's Attorney Kevin Kane and Deputy Chief State's Attorney
Leonard Boyle discussed legal ramifications of the Connecticut Supreme Court's decision in the matter of State v. Fernando A.

Mr. Kane discussed the award of a post-conviction DNA grant received recently by the Division. The grant will fund two full-time positions: one prosecutor and one inspector.

At 1:30 p.m., by unanimous motion, the meeting went into executive session to discuss litigation strategy in Blick, et al. v. Division of Criminal Justice, et al. In attendance were Assistant Attorney Generals Susan Quinn Cobb and Jane Rosenberg. By unanimous motion, the meeting came out of executive session at 2:10 p.m.

Mr. Kane and Deputy Chief State's Attorney John Russotto discussed the Division's budget. Mr. Russotto announced that the Division planned to cancel certain print materials used for legal research due to budget constraints. However, only those legal publications already available on-line would be affected.

There was discussion regarding developing a policy or guidelines relating to the inquiry of the immigration status of individuals who are in contact with Division personnel.

State's Attorney Stephen Sedensky discussed the recent report on the Needs Assessment on the handling of child abuse cases.

The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.