Thread: Newtown report delayed, possibly until end of September

Newtown report delayed, possibly until end of September

Published: Wednesday, May 29, 2013
By Andy Thibault, Contributing Editor
tntcomm82@cs.com twitter@cooljustice

NEWTOWN – The investigative report on 26 homicides at Sandy Hook Elementary School could be delayed until the end of September, The New Haven Register has learned.

The report, which could be hundreds and perhaps thousands of pages, was discussed this week at a meeting of the State Police Office of Field Operations. Attending were Col. Danny Stebbins and regional command staff including Western District Major William Podgorski.

“This will be a very extensive piece of work,” Lt. Paul Vance said today.

Podgorski cited one reason for the delay as the “scrubbing” of FBI reports, according to sources familiar with his presentation. Vance confirmed that, saying: “They do their redactions based on state FOI laws.”
“We’re not hanging our proverbial hat on that,” Vance continued. “We’re not waiting for the bus to come in from Washington. That was [just] one issue.”

Vance bristled at reports that the department is actively talking of ways to delay or never release any report: “Our goal has always been to let the families know first, and the public has a right to know what happened.”

He said he was not aware of any preservation order that sources said has been filed. The order informs all parties to keep all emails, notes, anything written or electronic, until the order is lifted.

In January, Danbury State’s Attorney Stephen Sedensky said it would be some months before any report might be released and that it might be ready for the summer.

“It may well go to into September or later,” Sedensky said Wednesday afternoon. “That’s a recognition of the magnitude of the task. I wouldn’t call it a delay. It’s more important to get it right than to get it fast.

“The state police continue to work on it and I touch base with them on a regular basis,” he said. “I’m still hoping for the summer, but that’s subject to change depending on how it progresses and the needs of the investigative team.”

Stebbins declined to comment.

Meanwhile, top state leaders continue to work on a bill that would suppress public records on the Newtown massacre.

Yesterday, the The Society of Professional Journalists asked the Legislature and Gov. Dannel Malloy to delay voting on any bill that would use the tragedy as an excuse to close access to public records.

“The Society condemns the creation of this legislation outside the normal, transparent process of public hearings and debate,” wrote SPJ national president Sonny Albarado and SPJ Connecticut president Jodie Mozdzer Gil.

Responding to those assertions, Malloy spokesman Andrew Doba produced a statement from Chief of Staff Mark Ojakianf: “A lot of people, including our office, have heard the concerns expressed by the families of Newtown victims, and are exploring ways to respect the families’ right to privacy while also respecting the public’s right to information.”

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2013/05/29/news/doc51a62a6d73de6968625625.txt?viewmode=fullstory

RELATED http://www.alipac.us/f9/newtown-conn...l-june-271145/

Sandy Hook Commission meets for first time since May

July 13, 2013, 7:09 am

(NECN/NBC: Jeff Saperstone, Hartford, Conn.) - The 16-member commission looking into the Sandy Hook school shooting came together on Friday for the first time since early May.

The group has been hearing testimony on gun control, school safety, and mental health, but the reason behind delays in their progress has been a lack of information about the investigation itself.

"Frankly, we're waiting for additional information as to what actually happened, which would be included in the state police report," said Scott Jackson, the commission's chairman.

The final police report has been pushed back several times, with a possible release date now estimated for September.

But the commission claims they need information in that report to understand the shooting, especially with regard to Adam Lanza's mental state.

"We talk a lot about mental health, but we don't any specifics of the shooter," Jackson said.

The group expects to focus on mental health in their recommendations, with some members saying lawmakers have only scratched the surface of the issue.

"There are many ambiguities and unresolved issues in the mental health legislation," said Dr. Harold Schwartz, a member of the commission.

They also said they plan to expand their focus beyond Connecticut.

The commission hopes to have the final report completed by the end of the year.

http://www.necn.com/07/13/13/Sandy-Hook-Commission-meets-for-first-ti/landing.html?blockID=846399&feedID=11106