Politics & Government
Three from District Attorney's Office to be Recognized at State House
They are to be recognized for their work on behalf of victims and survivors of violent crime.
The following is a press release from the office of Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley
Three members of Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office will be honored at the State House tomorrow for their work on behalf of the victims and survivors of violent crime.
The Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance will honor Kara Hayes, the chief of Conley’s Victim Witness Assistance Program, and Trooper Anthony Alestock, a State Police detective assigned to Conley’s office, with the Access to Justice Award, which is presented annually to those “whose leadership and outreach efforts have made victim rights and services more available and accessible to underserved populations.”
Find out what's happening in South Endwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Hayes began her career at the DA’s office 20 years ago with an assignment at Dorchester District Court, where she served as the sole victim-witness advocate in New England’s busiest jury trial session. She went on to supervise advocates in the Juvenile, Gang, and Homicide units. Upon taking office in 2002, Conley tapped Hayes for her current assignment, in which she directs and oversees about 30 victim advocates in nine district courts and 10 Superior Court trial teams.
Alestock has been a State trooper for more than 16 years and was billeted to Conley’s office last summer. Alestock’s primary duties on the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit involve the investigation of homicides and other violent crimes in Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, and State property within the City of Boston. He was nominated for this year’s award in part because of his work in locating a homeless sexual assault victim, convincing her to seek medical treatment and have a rape kit performed, and tracking down potential witnesses, who were also homeless.
Find out what's happening in South Endwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Also being recognized this year is Jennifer Sears, celebrating her 10th consecutive year as a Suffolk County victim-witness advocate. Sears is currently assigned to Conley’s Gang Unit, where she recently led the DA’s office – and likely the Commonwealth – in Witness Protection Fund petitions for victims, witnesses, and families in danger of retaliation for cooperating in the prosecution of gang-related shootings and homicides.
The MOVA Victim Rights Event will be held tomorrow at Gardner Auditorium in the East Wing basement of the State House. It runs from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.