No disciplinary action was decided Wednesday against Hartford State’s Attorney Gail Hardy for failing to complete investigations of fatal police shootings.
The Criminal Justice Commission met for a second session to discuss Hardy’s failure to formally complete four outstanding deadly police shooting reports.
At least one of the cases dates to 2008.
But by midafternoon, commission chair and state Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald said there would not be a vote on disciplinary proceedings.
“Based on the discussion that we had in executive session, the members of the commission determined that they need additional information and due diligence before we take any further action," McDonald said afterward.
The meeting came one week after former Chief State’s Attorney Kevin Kane released his report recommending that Hardy not be fired.
Kane suggested a meeting to discuss the delays and consider whether disciplinary action was in order.
Hardy is also investigating a fifth case -- the April fatal shooting of 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz by a Wethersfield police officer. Kane said that case is actively being reviewed and is not untimely.
Kane stated in his memo that it was unclear why the reports at issue remain unfinished. He also noted that the Hartford judicial district is “one of, if not the busiest in the state.”
“It appears that State’s Attorney Hardy’s decision that the use of force was justified in each case was appropriate, but the process was not officially completed and officers who were cleared of criminal liability, the police departments that employed them and the public for whom we all work deserved a timely report and explanation,” Kane wrote.
McDonald said the commission would address this issue again at a future meeting.
