Conn. panel begins task of responding to Newtown

Conn. panel begins task of responding to Newtown

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A panel tasked by Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy with recommending state policy changes after the deadly Newtown school shooting began its work today, urged to focus on the issue of mental health and gun violence.

The panel embarked on the task as the top prosecutor in the case, Danbury State’s Attorney Stephen Sedensky III, said he’s prevented from turning over information about the shooter’s mental health background.

Sedensky said the case remains under investigation and could take until June before a report is ready from the state police. He acknowledged, however, that no prosecution “appears on the horizon” for the Dec. 14 crime that left 20 first graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School dead.

The shooter, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, also killed his mother Nancy Lanza at the Newtown home they shared and later committed suicide as police approached the school.

Sedensky said while Lanza’s mental health information is privileged, he did express a willingness to work with the 16-member commission, which is charged with the broad task of reviewing school safety, mental health and gun violence prevention and providing the governor with recommendations for law and policy changes.