Connecticut hails first black state’s attorney

ROCKY HILL, Conn. — Veteran prosecutor Gail P. Hardy will become the first black state’s attorney in Connecticut history in August, taking over as the top prosecutor in the Hartford judicial district.

The state Criminal Justice Commission voted unanimously earlier this month to appoint Hardy to succeed Hartford State’s Attorney James E. Thomas, who will retire at the end of July after nearly 30 years as a prosecutor.

Hardy has been a state prosecutor for 11 years and is currently a senior assistant state’s attorney in the Waterbury judicial district.

Beginning Aug. 1, she will oversee more than 70 employees in the Hartford district, which includes Hartford and 18 surrounding communities. The district also includes Superior Courts in Hartford, Enfield and Manchester, Hartford Juvenile Court and Hartford Community Court.

State Supreme Court Justice Richard N. Palmer, chairman of the Criminal Justice Commission, called Hardy’s appointment historic.

“We are confident that she will be a strong addition to the Division of Criminal Justice senior management team,” Palmer said in a statement. “We also wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. Thomas for his long and dedicated service to the state of Connecticut and the interests of justice.”

Hardy will serve out the remainder of Thomas’ current eight-year term, which ends in 2012. She won the job over several other applicants, including many longtime prosecutors in the Hartford district.

Hardy was named a deputy assistant state’s attorney in Waterbury in 1996 and was promoted to assistant state’s attorney in 1998. She was named senior assistant state’s attorney last year.

Before becoming a prosecutor, Hardy worked as a probation officer and public defender.

Connecticut has 13 state’s attorneys.

(Associated Press)