Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of December 20, 2021
The meeting was called to order at 12:34 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. The meeting was conducted remotely utilizing Zoom software in accordance with directives issued by the Governor because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operations Kevin D. Lawlor; Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration John J. Russotto, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr., State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), Paul J. Narducci (New London), Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), Brian W. Preleski (New Britain), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Dawn Gallo (Litchfield), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys John P. Doyle, Jr., Gail P. Hardy and Brett Salafia, Legislative Liaison Melanie Dykas, Manager of Research and Planning Kyle Baudoin, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Valdes and Director of Communications Alaine Griffin.
State’s Attorney Gallo noted that she was present at the November 15, 2021 Chief State’s Attorney Meeting but the minutes did not reflect her attendance. Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said Director of Communications Griffin would correct the minutes. State’s Attorney Kelley moved to accept the amended minutes of the November 15, 2021 meeting. State’s Attorney Walcott seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Lawlor said the final draft of protocols for the Division’s Conviction Integrity Unit reflects issues that State’s Attorneys believe are important and will allow them to work in a way that not only upholds the integrity of the conviction process but also gives State’s Attorneys an avenue to address the outcomes of criminal cases that they, to some degree, lack confidence in. The protocols were created by the Division in conjunction with the Conviction Integrity Unit Working Group formed by Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo. Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Valdes then reviewed the protocols for the unit with the State’s Attorneys and discussed the makeup of the panel that will review the evidence. The review was followed by a discussion among the State’s Attorneys about the protocols.
State’s Attorney Kelley moved to accept the protocols. State’s Attorney Preleski seconded the motion and it passed 14-0 with State’s Attorneys Corradino, Gallo and Sedensky and Deputy Chief State's Attorney Devlin abstaining.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported no significant developments at the Division due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that employment for Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys would be extended through March 30, 2022 with the use of Division funding but that the Division is currently communicating with the Office of Police and Management about funding for those positions through September 30, 2023. To educate legislators about the need for these vital positions, the State’s Attorneys were asked to compile data regarding the daily workload and duties of the Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that a Legislative Committee meeting would be held on December 29, 2021. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Lawlor provided an update on where the Connecticut Sentencing Commission was with its latest draft proposal on the sex offender registry removal mechanism. Special Act 15-2 charged the Commission with researching and developing proposals for reforming the state’s policies for convicted sex offenders, including the utility of the sex offender registry to law enforcement and the public.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said mandatory training sessions for the Division on diversity, workplace violence, sexual harassment and ethics would be held in January. He reported that the Training Committee recently met and created a tentative agenda for training in 2022.
State’s Attorney Gallo moved to accept the 2022 Chief State’s Attorney Meeting dates. State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Lawlor provided an update on litigation the Attorney General’s office is handling regarding a law that bans ridicule based on race, religion or nationality. The Attorney General recently inquired with the Division about how often the law is used by prosecutors.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo discussed issues involving sentence modifications, including whether they will be applied retroactively. He asked State’s Attorneys to compile such data as how many sentence modifications Judicial Districts are handling and how much time it is taking to prepare for sentence modification hearings.
State’s Attorney Narducci reported that he recently contacted a Western Connecticut State University professor about his recent efforts to create grant-funded regional educational service and crisis centers with a training team to address school violence. Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo inquired about whether the professor would be willing to make a presentation at the next Chief State’s Attorney meeting.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that the Judicial Branch plans to continue to hold infractions hearings virtually. The State’s Attorneys then voted 9-4 in favor of keeping infractions cases centralized at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney instead of having each Judicial District handle them. State’s Attorneys Corradino, Gailor, Gallo and Sedensky voted against having the infractions cases centralized.
State’s Attorney Narducci noted the recent Superior Court jury verdict in New London convicting Sergio Correa of multiple charges, including Murder with Special Circumstances, in the December 20, 2017 killings of Kenneth and Janet Lindquist and their son, Matthew Lindquist. State’s Attorney Narducci said the prosecutors and inspectors in his office worked diligently on the case.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto moved to go into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations. Chief State’s Attorney Gailor seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Executive Session began at 1:53 p.m.
The Executive Session ended at 2:40 p.m. No motions were made or votes were taken during the executive session.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney Walcott made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Narducci seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 2:41 p.m.