FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Southington, CT) – The Connecticut Criminal Justice Educational and Charitable Association held its 20th Annual John M. Bailey Memorial Scholarship & Awards Dinner on June 13, 2024 at the Aqua Turf in Southington, Connecticut.
The 2024 Oliver Ellsworth Prosecutor of the Year Award was presented to Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Manning and Assistant State’s Attorney Seán McGuinness of the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk. Both prosecutors were honored with the award for their exemplary work in the matter of State of Connecticut v. Michelle Troconis, who was convicted in March 2024 of conspiracy to commit murder, hindering prosecution, evidence tampering and other charges in the 2019 disappearance of Jennifer Farber Dulos, a New Canaan mother of five, whose body has never been found.
The 2024 Kevin T. Kane Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Margaret E. Kelley, State’s Attorney for the Ansonia/Milford Judicial District. State’s Attorney Kelley is responsible for the prosecution of all criminal offenses that occur in the Judicial District, which includes the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton and West Haven.
State’s Attorney Kelley joined the Division of Criminal Justice in 1987 in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. She later served in Bridgeport Superior Court, G.A. No. 2 until 2001, when she was transferred to the Part A court in Bridgeport where more serious cases are heard. In 2015, she was promoted to Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney at G.A. No. 2. She was appointed State’s Attorney for the Ansonia/Milford Judicial District in 2018.
During her distinguished career, State’s Attorney Kelley has tried numerous cases to verdict and has been recognized throughout her career with several awards for her leadership and commitment to her profession, including most recently the 2023 Arnold Markle Distinguished Attorney Award from the Henry C. Lee Forensic Science Institute at the University of New Haven.
The 2024 Employee of the Year Award was presented to Information Technology Analyst 1 Laura Buonfiglio. Ms. Buonfiglio began her career in the Division’s Information Technology Services Department in 1989. Since then, she has gained a reputation as a consummate professional and an invaluable employee of the Division for her dedication to assisting colleagues with information technology matters, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Division expanded its use of technology.
Two 2024 Special Recognition Awards were presented to Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Krawczyk and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Ronald Weller.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Krawcyzk, a prosecutor with the Division of Criminal Justice since 1996 who has tried nearly 60 cases to verdict, was recognized for her guidance and assistance to the Hartford Judicial District during a period of critical staffing shortages. She provided this assistance while prosecuting cases for the Cold Case Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, where she is regularly assigned to serve.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Weller was lauded for his dedication to the training of Division of Criminal Justice and law enforcement personnel on complex Fourth Amendment issues, as well as his tireless efforts in developing the next generation of lawyers through his work with the Appellate Clinic at Quinnipiac University School of Law.
The Connecticut Criminal Justice Educational and Charitable Association, which was created by members of the Division of Criminal Justice, provides scholarships to the sons and daughters of those who have served in law enforcement or who intend to pursue a career in law enforcement or juvenile justice. At the June 13, 2024 dinner,scholarships were awarded in the name of former Chief State’s Attorney John M. Bailey, in the name of retired Juvenile Prosecutor Francis J. Carino, and in the names of Inspector Racheal Cain and her husband, Christopher.
For more information about the awards and scholarships, visit the Connecticut Criminal Justice Educational and Charitable Association’s website: ccjeca.org.