Criminal Justice Commission Reappoints State’s Attorneys for Litchfield, New Haven, New London, Tolland, Windham Judicial Districts
The Criminal Justice Commission today unanimously approved the reappointments of the State’s Attorneys for the Judicial Districts of Litchfield,
Appointed to eight-year terms commencing July 1, 2009, were: David Shepack, Litchfield; Michael Dearington,
The Commission also extended its congratulations and best wishes to Jonathan C. Benedict, who will retire at the close of business on June 30, 2009, after twelve years as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield. A successor will be appointed at a later date.
“The Criminal Justice Commission wishes to express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to State’s Attorney Benedict for his exemplary service and leadership in the courtroom and as an administrator,” said the Honorable Richard N. Palmer, Chair of the Criminal Justice Commission.
Mr. Benedict was appointed as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Office of the
“The Commission also congratulates the five State’s Attorneys who have been reappointed today. Their experience and leadership will serve the State of
The State’s Attorney is the state’s chief law enforcement officer in the Judicial District for which they are appointed. The office dates to colonial times in Connecticut, where the concept of public prosecution of crime originated.
The five prosecutors reappointed today are all veterans of the Division of Criminal Justice:
-- Michael Dearington is the “dean” of Connecticut’s State’s Attorneys, now in his 24th year in the position. He was first appointed State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford effective October 1, 1985, and since November 1987 has served as the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of New Haven.
-- Patricia M. Froehlich was appointed Deputy Assistant State's Attorney in the Judicial District of Danbury effective September 28, 1990, having served as an intern at that location prior to her appointment. She was advanced to Assistant State's Attorney in July of 1993. On March 15, 1996, she was promoted to Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney in Danbury. She was appointed State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Windham, based at Danielson, effective July 10, 2001.
-- Matthew Gedansky joined the Division of Criminal Justice in March 1991 as a Deputy Assistant State's Attorney responsible for the prosecution of drug cases in the Judicial Districts of Tolland and Windham. He transferred to Geographical Area No. 19 in Rockville in October 1992 and was promoted to Assistant State's Attorney in December 1993. He was advanced to Senior Assistant State's Attorney effective January 1, 2002, and promoted to Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney at G.A. No. 19 on January 11, 2002. He was appointed State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Tolland, based at Rockville, effective September 16, 2003.
-- Michael L. Regan was appointed Deputy Assistant State's Attorney for the Judicial District of New London at Geographical Areas No. 10, New London, and 21 in Norwich effective January 3, 1986. Prior to his permanent appointment, he served as an Intern and then as a Special Deputy Assistant State's Attorney beginning in July of 1982. He was advanced to Assistant State's Attorney at G.A. No. 10 effective January 1, 1989, and was later transferred to the New London Part A office. Attorney Regan was designated Senior Assistant State's Attorney effective January 1, 1997, and was promoted to Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney in August 2001. He was appointed State's Attorney for the Judicial District of New London effective October 4, 2006.
-- David Shepack was appointed Deputy Assistant State's Attorney in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney on February 17, 1984, and was promoted to Assistant State's Attorney in December 1986. He transferred to the Judicial District of Litchfield in January 1990, and became a Senior Assistant State's Attorney in March 1996. He was appointed State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Litchfield effective April 1, 2003.
Established by Article XXIII of the Connecticut Constitution, the Criminal Justice Commission is responsible for the appointment of all state prosecutors in Connecticut with the exception of juvenile prosecutors. It is chaired by Justice Palmer, an Associate Justice of the state Supreme Court.
In addition to Justice Palmer, the Commission members are the Honorable Thomas A. Bishop, Judge of the Appellate Court, and attorneys Maura Hughes Horan, Garrett M. Moore, Ann G. Taylor and Alfred A. Turco. The Chief State’s Attorney is also a member of the Commission but does not participate in the appointment of the Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys.