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from Central Connecticut State University
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Media contact: Bart Fisher, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
(860) 832-1624; Fisherb@ccsu.edu
 

Connecticut’s Former Top Public Defender Joins CCSU Faculty, Will Participate In January 17 Forum on Criminal Justice Reforms

NEW BRITAIN (January 3, 2008) Central Connecticut State University President Jack Miller has announced the appointment of attorney Gerard A. Smyth as adjunct professor with the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice.  Smyth has also joined the staff of the Governor William A. O’Neill Endowed Chair in Public Policy and Practical Politics.

Steve Kliger, Executive Director of CCSU’s Center for Public Policy and Social Research said “Gerry Smyth’s duties will center on contributing to the intellectual life of the entire CCSU community.  This will include a combination of teaching classes in the Criminology and Criminal Justice department, and linking students and faculty to the outreach activities of the Governor William A. O’Neill Endowed Chair in Public Policy and Practical Politics and the Institute for the Study of Crime and Justice.” 

Smyth, who recently began teaching a course titled “Wrongful Conviction of the Innocent,” has already introduced key speakers to his students, including the wrongfully convicted, but recently acquitted James Tillman, his attorneys, Connecticut Innocence Project Director Karen Goodrow and Deputy Chief Public Defender Brian Carlow, and Connecticut Wrongful Convictions Advisory Commission member Attorney Hope Seeley.  Smyth is the founder of the CT Innocence Project.  The Fairfield University and University of Connecticut Law School graduate previously served on the state’s Wrongful Conviction’s Advisory Commission.

Chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice Dr. Stephen Cox, said “the Department is very excited about having Gerry Smyth join our faculty.  His wealth of experience as the Chief Public Defender will greatly enhance our students’ understanding of the needs and rights of accused persons.”

Andrew Clark, Director of the Institute for the Study of Crime & Justice added that his institute “looks forward to utilizing Smyth’s expertise and extensive network of contacts to assist in its criminal justice outreach efforts.”  

An upcoming collaborative effort between Smyth, the ISCJ, the Criminology and Criminal Justice department and the O’Neill Endowed Chair is a forum scheduled January 17, 2008 at CCSU to address recent Connecticut criminal justice reform efforts. 

The discussion is scheduled to take place from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Welte and Alumni Halls.  For more information and registration, go to:  http://www.ccsu.edu/BuildingBridgesIII_Registration.asp