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Pastimes : Murder Mystery: Who Killed Yale Student Suzanne Jovin? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jeffrey S. Mitchell who wrote (795)	6/1/2000 9:43:00 AM
From: Jeffrey S. Mitchell	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1397

Re: Cops won't miss a beat, chief vows; 11-year veteran steps in to lead detective bureau Cops won't miss a beat, chief vows; 11-year veteran steps in to lead detective bureau Walter Kita, William Kaempffer and Randall Beach, Register Staff June 01, 2000 [Picture of Suzanne Jovin] NEW HAVEN ? Police Chief Melvin H. Wearing said his department will continue to run smoothly and crucial investigations will not be jeopardized despite his order to place two top officers on leave amid allegations they hindered a murder investigation. Capt. Brian Sullivan, chief of detectives, and Sgt. Edward Kendall, chief of the forensics unit, were put on paid leave Tuesday. They will be out indefinitely, pending the outcome of a departmental inquiry and grand jury investigation into allegations they hid evidence in the 1996 killing of Philip S. Cusick of North Haven. Sgt. Bryan Norwood, an 11-year veteran of the New Haven Police Department, has taken over the reigns of the detective bureau. Norwood referred all questions about his new duties to the chief. Among the top cases that remain under investigation is the 1998 slaying of Yale senior Suzanne Jovin. "We won?t lose anything on this case," Wearing said in the wake of Tuesday?s departmental shake-up. Considered a skilled investigator with a thorough knowledge of the city, Norwood has served as second-in-command of the bureau since Kendall was transferred from that slot in March 1999. Besides his administrative duties, Norwood has been appointed lead investigator in the Jovin slaying. That probe was previously led by Sullivan. "Norwood will be taking the point on that," said Wearing. "There will be no ball dropping. I know the importance of this case, as with all murder cases." Wearing said the department will continue to meet regularly with Assistant State?s Attorney James G. Clark, lead prosecutor in the Jovin murder. Despite help from the FBI, the Jovin case has frustrated police for a year and a half. Detectives have cited a lack of physical evidence as the main obstacle. Jovin was discovered near death on Dec, 4, 1998, on a street corner in the city?s East Rock neighborhood, the victim of 17 stab wounds. Kendall and Sullivan played key roles early in the case. Sullivan earned the respect and trust of the Jovin family, and remained in contact with them throughout the investigation.** Thomas Jovin, Suzanne Jovin?s father, said Wednesday he and his wife, Donna, still have faith in the police investigation. "We had a long conversation with James Clark," Thomas Jovin said during an interview from his home in Germany. "He attempted to reassure us the investigation is very much on course. He didn?t feel this (grand jury probe) would have any great effect on the police?s actions or on the ultimate fate of the case. ? He said the investigation will not be compromised by these events." Jovin added, "We?re convinced the police are doing their best. ? Clearly, this case is not an easy one. They?re trying very hard and the (state?s attorney?s office) is very committed to it." Asked if he is satisfied with the pace of the investigation, Jovin said, "The pace isn?t something that can be dictated by the police. You need evidence and witnesses." When asked if he was satisfied about the investigation overall, Jovin replied, "The only thing that would make us feel OK would be if an arrest is made, a trial is held and somebody is convicted." Other investigators who led the Jovin probe are also gone. Detective Thomas Trocchio, a 19-year veteran, retired last year for a job with the Chief State?s Attorney?s Office. In March, Deputy State?s Attorney David P. Gold, the prosecutor originally assigned to the Jovin case, was appointed a state judge. Detective Anthony Dilullo, a 29-year veteran, is the only officer still in the department who played a role in the Jovin investigation. The Jovin case is one of several city slayings that remain unsolved. Police say they have strong leads in the May 15 murder of James Frate, 26, who was gunned down by an assailant while playing basketball with friends on a court near the McConaughy Terrace public housing complex. Meanwhile, city detectives are also pursuing leads in the killing of Ephraim Gilliard. He was shot once in the head May 21 at an after-hours party at the Live Wire Bar in Fair Haven. No arrests have been made in the 1998 slaying of Anthony Lucky, 16. He was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire between people in two vehicles in the city?s Hill neighborhood. ¸New Haven Register 2000 zwire.com