Michelle Troconis has been found guilty on all charges in the murder case of Jennifer Dulos, who disappeared almost five years ago in Connecticut.
Following approximately 14 hours of deliberation, a jury consisting of three men and three women concluded that Troconis was complicit in the conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence, and obstructing the prosecution.
The verdict specified her involvement in conspiring with Fotis Dulos, Jennifer’s estranged husband, to carry out the murder, providing false information to create an alibi for him, and assisting in the disposal of incriminating evidence.
Troconis bowed her head and began to weep, her family seated closely behind her in the courtroom. Upon hearing the conclusive verdict, she slumped in her chair, resting her head on the table.
On the opposite side of the courtroom, Jennifer Dulos’ family members seemed visibly relieved.
As Troconis was escorted out of the courtroom, she requested permission to bid farewell to her family but was only granted a brief moment to speak in Spanish.
Prosecutors contended that Troconis developed animosity towards Jennifer Dulos, who was embroiled in a contentious divorce and custody dispute with Fotis Dulos.
Defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn countered, asserting that the prosecution’s case relied heavily on conjecture and supposition.
“I truly just don’t see how the jury could have reached this verdict,” said Schoenhorn. “We’re going to challenge whether or not the trial had errors that should be reconsidered, and if not reconsidered in this court then we’ll go to the appellate or supreme court.”
Lauren Almeida, a trusted nanny who has become a maternal figure to the five Dulos children, exited the courtroom wearing a smile.
Family Reaction To The Verdict
Troconis’ distraught parents and sisters spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, steadfastly asserting her innocence.
“I came many years ago to this country looking for opportunities, freedom, and justice. And I moved my whole family here, I have eight grandchildren [who are] American. And today we are here, devastated because there has been a tremendous injustice in the trial of my daughter,” said Dr. Carlos Troconis, her father. “She is innocent, and we will keep proving that forever.”
“I know that everyone wanted answers, I know that maybe this day is happy that they finally convicted her, or someone is paying for the price. But she is not the right one,” said Troconis’ sister Claudia Troconis, fighting back tears.
A spokesperson for the friends and family of Jennifer Dulos shared a statement, calling the verdict a “crucial attribution of accountability, not a victory.”
“There can be no victory when five children are growing up without their mother. This verdict represents the meticulous collection, analysis, and presentation of evidence to illuminate an unconscionable series of crimes.
That immense body of evidence also serves to highlight the gaps that remain in this case importantly, that Jennifer Farber Dulos still has not been found,” the statement continued.
“We have lost a mother, daughter, sister, cousin, and cherished friend. Jennifer’s loved ones cannot bury her next to her father.”
Case Made Against Michelle Troconis
Troconis faced allegations of aiding her boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, in the murder of his estranged wife in 2019, as well as concealing evidence of the crime. Fotis Dulos was initially charged with murder in connection to the case but subsequently died by suicide.
Throughout the month-long trial, jurors were presented with testimonies from numerous witnesses, including Troconis herself during three separate interviews conducted by Connecticut State Police.
In these interviews, Troconis initially provided conflicting accounts, initially asserting she was at home with Fotis Dulos on the day Jennifer Dulos vanished, before later admitting to the falsehood of this claim.
Additionally, surveillance footage captured Fotis Dulos disposing of incriminating evidence, with Troconis observed wiping her hand on the ground. While she contended she was merely removing gum from her hand, prosecutors argued that her actions demonstrated awareness of the situation and complicity in evidence disposal.
The pivotal charge in the case revolved around the accusation of murder conspiracy, classified as a class B felony carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
In a significant move, the judge increased Troconis’ bail from $2.1 million to $6 million. Should she manage to post bail, she will be subjected to house arrest.
Her sentencing has been scheduled for May 31. Should the charges be served concurrently, she could potentially face a maximum of 20 years in prison. However, if served consecutively, the total sentence could amount to 50 years.
Jennifer Dulos’ Disappearance
The guilty verdict against Troconis was reached 1,743 days after Jennifer Dulos disappeared from her New Canaan residence.
The 50-year-old mother was reported missing in May 2019, shortly after dropping her children off at school. Her disappearance occurred amidst a contentious and financially burdensome divorce and custody dispute with Fotis Dulos.
During the trial, prosecutors meticulously outlined a complex timeline, alleging that Fotis Dulos commandeered an employee’s truck, drove it to New Canaan, bicycled to Jennifer Dulos’ residence, committed the murder in her garage, disposed of her remains at an undisclosed location using her SUV, and then abandoned the vehicle before returning to his estate in Farmington.
Following the events, Fotis Dulos and his girlfriend, Troconis, were arrested the subsequent week on charges related to tampering with physical evidence and impeding the prosecution. Dulos entered a plea of not guilty and posted bond, subsequently being mandated to wear a GPS tracking device on his ankle.
In January 2020, authorities arrested Fotis Dulos and Troconis once again, this time with Dulos facing a murder charge and Troconis and his civil attorney, Kent Mawhinney, charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Shortly thereafter, Fotis Dulos was scheduled to attend a bail hearing but was discovered unresponsive at his residence three weeks later. He was swiftly transported to the hospital due to carbon monoxide poisoning, yet tragically succumbed to his injuries two days later, in what appeared to be a suicide.
Despite extensive efforts, Jennifer Dulos’ remains have never been located, though she is presumed deceased. Law enforcement noted significant evidence of bloodshed in her garage, suggesting she did not survive, along with indications of potential attempts to sanitize the scene.
Jennifer Dulos left behind five children, who are currently under the care of their 88-year-old grandmother.
