Here is one of the best articles I've found on GAL process in CT and Atty Meehan.
Jennifer Dulos divorce shows controversial role of court-appointed child guardians
Both atty's so far as I am aware have motions in Family Court to dismiss GAL Meehan following his role in the psych report debacle (he allegedly gave draft report to FD former atty and then FD supposedly "stole" the draft to give it to Pattis who then disclosed it to the Press). IMO I am not seeing how Judge Heller can have much confidence in GAL Meehan given the psych report situation. But, given the custody issue hasn't been fully resolved my guess is that he will remain for the near term and be punted at some point to give Judge Heller piece of mind that there are no shenanigans going on and that the interests of the 5 children are being cared for with absolute integrity. MOO MOO MOO MOO MOO
Picture of GAL "Show me the Money" Michael Meehan from above article:
View attachment 198028
Quote from article:
"The
high-profile case of Jennifer Dulos, a New Canaan mother of five who vanished May 24 after dropping off her kids at New Canaan Country School, has some questioning the role of guardians ad litem, the Latin term for guardian at law".
"GALs, who are often licensed attorneys but can also be licensed mental health professionals, are appointed by the court amid contentious legal battles. Once appointed by a judge, a GAL conducts an independent and unbiased investigation and ultimately makes a recommendation based on the best interests of the child."
"In family court, guardians ad litem
recommend a parenting plan for a child relating to issues such as custody and family visitation while ensuring the plan addresses the child’s developmental, medical, emotional and educational needs. Guardians ad litem also help to enhance the parents’ abilities as caregivers".
"In the Dulos divorce, both sides are now calling for
Meehan to be removed as guardian ad litem. Fotis Dulos’ attorneys have previously called for Meehan to be removed. In June, Reuben Midler, who is representing Jennifer Dulos, filed a motion accusing the GAL of wrongly releasing a sealed psychological evaluation done on the family".
"The evaluation ended up in the hands of Fotis Dulos’ new attorneys and has been used to support Norm Pattis’
“Gone Girl”and
“revenge suicide” theories for Jennifer Dulos’ disappearance".
"Meehan could not be reached for comment for this story".
Other: Pattis made multiple references to FD family visiting from Greece to offer up support to him. So, my assumption is that these folks might have been in the gallery to support FD on Friday.
MOO