Longtime Rockville Superior Court Prosecutor Stepping Down

VERNON, CT — A prosecutor known for the ability to garner strong convictions is stepping down at Rockville Superior Court.

The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, who chairs the Criminal Justice Commission, said Tuesday that Matthew C. Gedansky, the state's attorney for the Judicial District of Tolland, has informed the commission of his intention not to seek reappointment.

Gedansky told the Commission he will serve in his role through the end of his term until June 30, 2025.

Gedansky was appointed by the Criminal Justice Commission on Sept. 15, 2003 to serve as state's attorney for the Tolland Judicial District, which includes the towns of Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Ellington, Hebron, Mansfield, Stafford, Somers, Tolland, Union, Vernon and Willington. The State’s Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer of the Tolland Judicial District and oversees the prosecutors and other Division of Criminal Justice staff at the Superior Court in Rockville and the Geographical Area court in Rockville.

"The Criminal Justice Commission wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to State's Attorney Gedansky for his long and dedicated service to the State of Connecticut," Justice McDonald said. "The commission is thankful for the commitment that he has demonstrated as a valued member of the division's senior management."

Gedansky joined the Division of Criminal Justice in March 1991 as a deputy assistant state's attorney responsible for the prosecution of drug cases in the Judicial Districts of Tolland and Windham. He moved to Geographical Area 19 in Rockville in October 1992 and was promoted to assistant state's attorney in December 1993. He became a senior assistant state's attorney on Jan. 1, 2002.

Gedansky was promoted to supervisory assistant state's attorney for G.A. 19 on Jan. 11. State's Attorney Gedansky serves on the Training and Management Committees for the Division and has been an instructor and lecturer for numerous police department training events.

"It is difficult, if not impossible, to replicate the professionalism and commitment to law enforcement that State’s Attorney Gedansky has exhibited during his long career,” Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said. "During his time at the Division, he has established a reputation as a tenacious prosecutor and a staunch advocate for the rights of victims."

Gedanski has had his share of high-profile convictions that led to lengthy sentences.

In 2022, Richard Dabate, the Ellington man convicted of killing his wife, Connie, in a staged home invasion on Dec. 23, 2015, was sentenced Thursday to 65 years in prison in Rockville Superior Court. He was ordered by Judge Corinne Klatt to serve 60 of them for a murder conviction that was delivered by a jury in May. Dabate was also sentenced to five years for evidence tampering, but they will be served consecutively. Dabate was also give one year — concurrent with the sentences — for a false statement conviction.

In 2023, convicted double murderer Peter Manfredonia received a pair of 55-year prison terms for the May 2020 killing of a Willington resident.

The commission is currently seeking qualified applicants for the appointment of the state's next state's attorney, officials said.