Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes
of the Meeting of July 21, 2014
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
The meeting was called to order at 12:37 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), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia-Milford), Peter A. McShane (Middlesex), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Michael L. Regan (New London), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), David Shepack (Litchfield) and John Smriga (Fairfield); Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto; and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John H. Malone (New Britain).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Brian Austin, Jr., and Michael A. Gailor, Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Schwartz, legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette, Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.
State’s Attorney Shepack made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 23, 2014, meeting. The motion was seconded by State’s Attorney Lawlor and passed unanimously.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane introduced Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Schwartz, the recently appointed Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor. Attorney Schwartz gave an overview of her plans for the position and distributed a survey soliciting input from the State’s Attorneys.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane introduced guests Darryl Hayes, Versie Jones and Brenda Zup from the COLLECT Unit of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) for a presentation and discussion of the Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communication Teleprocessing (COLLECT) System and National Crime Information Center (NCIC). All DCJ employees will be required to execute the COLLECT System Security Awareness Training and Confidentiality Agreement. The Office of the Chief State’s Attorney will oversee implementation.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that he is finalizing recommendations concerning the filling of 10 additional positions authorized in the 2014-15 budget.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the State’s Attorneys Legislative Committee will review the ramifications of the Supreme Court ruling in Commissioner of Public Safety v. Freedom of Information Commission et al.
State’s Attorney Platt reported that the Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations is addressing concerns about the reported delay in the delivery of sexual assault kits by police departments to the DESPP Forensic Science Laboratory. The State’s Attorneys will be involved in the process.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported that the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit of the Connecticut State Police is asking the State’s Attorneys to attempt to resolve illegal possession of firearms cases without testimony by unit personnel due to the heavy workload the unit is now experiencing.
There was discussion of the Division’s response to issues raised in the United States Supreme Court decisions in the Brady and Giglio cases. There will be further discussion at the next meeting as to whether a formal policy should be adopted.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported that law enforcement investigation has determined that a Rhode Island man who has sent postcards to various prosecutors and judges is not considered a threat.
State’s Attorney Platt initiated a discussion of the Division’s response to findings of prosecutorial impropriety by the Appellate Court or Supreme Court. Such findings in the court’s published opinions are initially reviewed by the Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operations and discussed with the appropriate State’s Attorney.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:23 p.m.