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10 ¦ JULY 6, 2020 NEWS

¦ From CONN’S on PAGE 9 with her in her years as a prosecu-
She returned to work on Thursday, tor, she is very fair. I’d like to see Ms.
and appeared before the commis- Hardy get a second chance and not
sion Friday for four hours. have her story end here.”
Hardy, who became the state’s There were also voices against the
first Black state’s attorney in 2007, reappointment.
couldn’t be reached for comment They included resident Randy
Monday afternoon. Watson, who identified himself as
Before Hardy withdrew as one of a member of the Black Lives Mat-
the state’s top prosecutors, the com- ter movement. “I strongly oppose
mission heard from her supporters the reappointment of Gail Hardy.
and opponents. She has failed miserably. I feel the
Speaking in support of Hardy was suspension is not enough, and she
Geraldo Parrilla, a member of the Gail Hardy. should not be reappointed,” Watson

Photo: Josalee Thrift

George W. Crawford Black Bar As- said.
sociation. Another critic was Joe Verrengia, a Democratic
“She is a mentor, leader and advocate,” Parrilla member of the state’s House of Representatives and
said Monday. “Attorney Hardy has opened the doors co-chairman of the Public Safety Committee.
for black attorneys. Attorney Hardy has done her Verrengia said, in part: “I certainly appreciate the
job with integrity and honorably. We ought to con- work of all of the State’s attorneys in this state. But
sider her entire body of work. We should not judge we must hold people in power accountable. I think
her competency on these cases alone.” if Ms. Hardy is reappointed, it would be a step in the
Also voicing support for Hardy was former Con- wrong direction.”
necticut attorney Corey Brinson. The board did vote to reappoint Maureen Platt to
Brinson said he had interactions with Hardy be- another term as Waterbury State’s Attorney.
cause he represented a man who Hartford police ¦

shot and injured. Robert Storace covers legal trends, lawsuits and
“She was thoughtful and fair in the case in dealing analysis for the Connecticut Law Tribune. Follow
with my client, who had mental health issues,” Brin- him on Twitter @RobertSCTLaw or reach him at
son said. “As someone who watched her and worked 203-437-5950.

Colangelo Recruits Hardy
To Lead Diversity Efforts

By Robert Storace
Under fire for her role in four police-involved reappointment hearing for another term as Hart-
shootings as Hartford State’s Attorney, Gail ford State’s Attorney in front of the Criminal Justice
Hardy has been tapped to lead the diversity Commission when she faxed over her acceptance of
and inclusion efforts as an executive assistant state’s the new job offer at 1:03 p.m, on Monday to Colan-
attorney in the Office of Chief State’s Attorney.
gelo.
Hardy, who will report to Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said he offered Hardy the posi-

Richard Colangelo Jr., was nearing the end of her tion Monday morning. Colangelo informed the

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