a public defender

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Somehow I missed the coverage of Thursday’s hearing in the death penalty discretion trial. Two more prosecutors testified.

Tolland County State’s Attorney Matthew Gedansky and Danbury State’s Attorney Stephen J. Sedensky were subpoenaed by lawyers for convicted murderer Jessie Campbell III.

Gedansky said he would seek the death penalty if the facts of the case met the state statute. And, he testified, he also would consider input from the victim or victims’ families, the defense, and the strength and circumstances of aggravating and mitigating factors.

Sedensky offered similar testimony, telling Mullarkey that the state statutes are the guidelines.

By my count, that makes 11 out of the 12 prosecutors testifying that they have discretion in applying the death penalty. The only one who categorically stated that he had no discretion was Waterbury State’s Attorney John Connelly.

Previous posts (older to newer):

• State prosecutors have to testify at death penalty hearing.
• Death penalty constitutionality hearing under way.
• Death penalty constitutionality hearing continues.

Technorati Tags: connecticut, death penalty