Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of February 25, 2013
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
The meeting was called to order at 12:42 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.
In attendance were: State’s Attorneys David I. Cohen (Stamford-Norwalk); Michael Dearington (New Haven); Patricia M. Froehlich (Windham); Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland); Gail P. Hardy (Hartford); Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia-Milford); Peter A. McShane (Middlesex); Maureen Platt (Waterbury); Brian Preleski (New Britain); Michael L. Regan (New London); Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury) and John C. Smriga (Fairfield); and Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto.
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Brian Austin, Jr., and Michael A. Gailor; Division of Criminal Justice Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis, and legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette.
State’s Attorney Froehlich made a motion to correct the minutes of the January 28, 2013, meeting to reflect that the management training program referenced in the minutes took place in December 2012. The motion was seconded and the minutes of the January 28, 2013, and the December 17, 2012, meetings were unanimously approved.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Division’s budget presentation to the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee was well received. The Division will provide follow-up information at a work session scheduled for February 27, 2013. The Division is pursuing exceptions to the current hiring freeze.
Legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette reported on the status of the Division’s legislative proposals.
The State’s Attorneys unanimously endorsed plans for establishing an Infant Abuse Resource Group, which will bring together physicians, prosecutors and others to plan training programs and serve as a resource for prosecutors in specific cases.
State’s Attorney Froehlich reported that the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) is considering an increase in dues. There was discussion of the benefits and value of NDAA membership to the Division.
State’s Attorney Froehlich reported on the State’s Attorneys training committee. Management training for the State’s Attorneys and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorneys will be held April 10, 2013, in the Rocky Hill training center. The annual prosecutor training will be held June 13-14, 2013, at the University of Connecticut School of Law. There are plans to add the habeas training manual prepared by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Jo Anne Sulik to the intranet site along with a domestic violence training manual.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., will offer a “train the trainers” program on the new requirements mandated by state law for eyewitness identification of suspects. The State’s Attorneys were encouraged to promote in-service training by Division personnel to police departments.
Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Gailor reported on errors in the processing of certain DNA profiles by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Forensic Science Laboratory. Approximately 300 cases are affected. State’s Attorney Smriga recommended that a uniform approach be taken by the Division to notify those affected. It was suggested that law student interns may be helpful in assisting in review of these cases.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that Chief Medical Examiner Dr. H. Wayne Carver has announced his intention to retire in April.
A “frequently asked questions” memo on “The Filing of Electronically Signed Documents” was reviewed. There being no objections the memo will be distributed to all employees.
Copies of “Guidelines Concerning Reports on the Use of Deadly Force by Peace Officers (CGS 51-277a)” were distributed. The State’s Attorneys are asked to contact the Chief State’s Attorney immediately of incidents involving the use of deadly force by police officers that result in death.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto announced that the annual Diversity Luncheon will be held March 7, 2013, at 12 noon in the Rocky Hill training center. Commissioner Joette Katz of the Department of Children and Families will speak.
State’s Attorney Hardy announced that a Memorial Mass for the late John A. Connelly, retired State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Waterbury, will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 74, West Main St., Waterbury.
State’s Attorney Hardy reported that attorney Garvin Ambrose, a prosecutor in Cook County, Ill., has been nominated by Governor Malloy to be the new Victim Advocate.
State’s Attorney Platt raised questions concerning the role of the State’s Attorneys regarding “holder of record” agreements for utilization of the COLLECT system by police departments. The issue will be placed on the agenda for a future meeting when more information is available.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the Governor’s proposed budget includes funding for salary increases for exempt management employees as well as those covered by collective bargaining.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.