Suzio Featured on Vinnie Penn Project Radio Show: Topic Suspend Early Release of Violent Criminals

News From Len Suzio 
"On Monday September 23, former State Senator and current Victim Advocate Advisory Board member Len Suzio and former Victim Advocate Michelle Cruz were featured as guests on the Vinnie Penn show. The topic was the Early Release Program and the plea bargain offered to Frankie Resto. If you would like to hear the interview please visit EndEarlyRelease.com
Spread the word to friends and neighbors to visit EndEarlyRelease.com and to sign the petition."
http://endearlyrelease.com/node/13

The Vinnie Penn Project is a New Haven based radio show on 
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Murder Victim's family shut out of plea deal : Former State Senator Suzio teams with former Victim Advocate Cruz to demand justice for family

Murder Victim's family shut out of plea deal -

Former State Senator Suzio teams with former Victim Advocate Cruz to demand justice for family

Frankie "the Razor" Resto offered plea deal without Ghazal family being consulted

Date: September 17, 2013

For immediate release:

Contact: Len Suzio (203)-530-1544

 

Former State Senator Len Suzio, Connecticut's leading critic of the Early Release program, blasted the offer of a plea deal to accused murderer Frankie Resto. The victim's family was denied the opportunity to provide input, and was given zero details about the bargain. "This family has gone through hell since their father was murdered in cold blood, now their suffering is compounded by the prospect of the murderer being offered a plea deal without any input or consent from the family. It is yet another example of Connecticut’s justice system accommodating violent criminals at the expense of their suffering victims. Excluding the family from the details of this plea bargain scheme, displays an incredible lack of sympathy or sensitivity to the Ghazal family and it is illegal " Suzio said.

 

"I want to publicly thank former Connecticut Victim Advocate Michelle Cruz who has offered to represent the family pro bono to demand justice for the family of murder victim Ibrahim Ghazal," Suzio continued. "Former Victim Advocate Michelle Cruz is an expert in victims' rights and related Connecticut laws and has been a tireless worker on behalf of victims and their families for many years. We expect (HOPE?) prosecutors to (WILL) retract any 'bargain' until the family has been informed and given an opportunity to respond (BE HEARD). Respect and fairness for the family demand nothing less," Suzio concluded.

 

“Connecticut’s Constitution guarantees crimes victims’ the right to be treated with fairness, respect, communicate with the prosecutor and have input in any plea offer. For the Ghazel family to learn, after the fact, that a plea has been communicated to the defendant without knowing the details and circumstances, violates these important rights of the victims, and 'revictimizes' the family. These injustices targeted at crime victims, have to stop.” Attorney Cruz has been retained by the family to assure that justice for their father and respect for their rights as family of the victim are respected. Attorney Cruz is seeking an immediate meeting with prosecutors to request any plea bargain be rescinded until family members have been provided the details of the proposed deal and have had a chance to express their opinion.

 

Len Suzio is a member of the Victims Advocate Advisory Committee and Attorney Michelle Cruz has a private practice offering serves to clients in Connecticut and Massachusetts

Former Sen. Suzio Says: " See you Later, but not "Goodbye."

On Sunday, former State Senator for the 13th district Len Suzio who was defeated this past fall for reelection was honored by a special Thank You Brunch given by Leah and Eleanor Tomazewski of Middletown and his campaign chair Anna Neumon of Meriden and  Kathleen Horsky at First and Last Tavern. Friends and supporters of Suzio  as well as legislative colleagues offered words of encouragement to Suzio in front of a packed room. Upon departure from the state senate, Suzio was appointed to the state Victim Advocate Advisory Committee where he will still fight to end early release of violent criminals in CT, a campaign he started as a senator. State Senator Joe Markley, who has know Suzio since 1990, said Suzio was "the best senator Connecticut has." He told of his admiration for Suzio to take the bull by the horns even as a freshmen senator and tackle important budget issues like spear heading the campaign to cap the gas tax.

Conecticut's only femle Republican state senator and Deputy Minority Leader State Senator Toni Boucher was on hand to praise Suzio and wish him well. She also stressed to the citizens gathered that CT is now in a downward financial spiral because of spending millions of dollars over the amount of money the state has gathered in revenue under Governor Malloy. Boucher said" We need more Len Suzio's, Connecticut needs Len back. We need his banking expertise to make things right. This next election cycle is our chance to get the state back on track financially,before it is too late." 

Boucher commended Suzio's tenacity for his inquiries into the appropriations and bonding that is done at the state level and expressed her concern for this type of questioning to continue. Boucher asked everyone present to write to or call their current local Democratic legislators and Senators and tell them their concerns about the increase in taxes being forshadowed if Malloy's budget passes. 
Chairman of the Meriden Republican Town Committee and Councilman Dan Brunet spoke on behalf of Suzio whom he knew during Suzio's 16 years on Meriden's Board of Education. During this time Suzio advocated for full day kindergarten and a breakfast program. Brunet presented Suzio with a placard and a shirt from Meriden Public Schools. Suzio thanked his wife Kate, assistant Kathleen Horsky, and campaign Chair Anna Neumon and assured that crowd  that although many Democrats  would like to see him gone, he was saying "See you late, but not goodbye."