STAMFORD, Conn. (Court TV) — The trial for a woman accused of helping her boyfriend murder his estranged wife is underway in Connecticut.
Michelle Troconis is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and hindering prosecution in the murder of Jennifer Dulos, whose body has never been found.
(L) Michelle Troconis/Conn. State Police, (R) Jennifer Dulos/NamUS
Jennifer Dulos, a mother of five, was reported missing on May 24, 2019, and police investigating her case immediately noticed blood evidence at her home. Her vehicle was found abandoned on a road near a park. Nobody was inside it, but the running lights were left on and the vehicle’s transmission was in reverse. Blood spatter was noted on the passenger side of the vehicle.
In court documents, investigators say that evidence shows that Jennifer’s estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, went to Jennifer’s home after she dropped their children off in the morning and then killed her, tied her in zip ties and put her into her own vehicle and attempted to clean the scene before driving away with her body.
While Jennifer’s body has never been found, a probate judge formally declared her dead in 2023, according to multiple reports.
READ MORE: Lawyer: Police made false statements in missing mom case
Fotis was living with his girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, when Jennifer disappeared. Court documents obtained by
FILE – In this Jan. 8, 2020 file photo, Fotis Dulos, the estranged husband of a missing mother of five, is arraigned on murder and kidnapping charges in Stamford Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. On Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, his lawyer said he has died following an apparent suicide attempt. (Erik Trautmann/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool)
Court TV say that investigators were able to track the couple’s movements on surveillance video on the evening of May 24 driving to several trash receptacles and tossing multiple black-colored garbage bags. After retrieving the bags, officers found items ranging from gloves and a poncho to a mop handle, towels and gloves. Both Fotis and Jennifer Dulos’ DNA was on the items, and one item had Troconis’ DNA on it as well.
Detectives said that Troconis changed details of her story multiple times, though the first time she was interviewed by police she gave information that matched, nearly verbatim, an “Alibi Script” that was found while executing a search warrant. The handwritten notes outlined Fotis and Troconis’ movements by the hour on May 24 and 25.
Fotis had been charged with murder and kidnapping for his estranged wife’s death. After posting a bond he was released from jail and took his own life at his home. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges before his death.
The day before Troconis’ trial began, Court TV received a statement from Carrie Luft, on behalf of the family and friends of Jennifer Dulos:
“It has been more than four years and seven months since Jennifer Farber Dulos was murdered and disappeared. We, her family and friends, have waited patiently, understanding that the justice process moves slowly and deliberatively, especially given the disruption of a global pandemic. We remain deeply grateful to the state’s attorney’s office, the Connecticut State Police, and the New Canaan Police for their tireless dedication to this case and the related, ongoing criminal investigation. As this trial begins, it is crucial to remember who is at the center: Jennifer, whose five children have lost their mother and, as an eventuality, both parents. Jennifer’s family and loved ones have lost a loving daughter, sister, cousin, and lifelong friend. We do not seek closure, as nothing can bring Jennifer back. Our hope is that this trial provides for accountability and answers.”
DAY 13 – 1/30/24
- Prosecutors presented evidence about a red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that traveled from Mountain Springs Road in Farmington, CT to New Canaan, CT.
- Retired State Trooper Gregory LeBeau testified that he looked for a red Toyota Tacoma pickup with silver rims, tubular runnings boards and a snowplow hitch.
- “I was extremely interested in the items in the back of the pickup truck,” LeBeau said.
- Retired State Trooper Gregory LeBeau testified that he looked for a red Toyota Tacoma pickup with silver rims, tubular runnings boards and a snowplow hitch.
- Investigators executed a search warrant at Fotis Dulos’ home on May 31, 2019.
- Connecticut State Police Sgt. Michael Beauton testified about his first interaction with Pawel Gumienny, a Fore Group employee.
- Gumienny “appeared to be very nervous, sweaty and his breathing was elevated.”
DAY 12 – 1/29/24
- Detective John Kimball, formerly with the Connecticut State Police, told the court investigators believed Troconis “would know more than she was giving or providing” law enforcement.
- Troconis offered to dig holes and trek through the woods to help find Jennifer Dulos.
- During cross-examination, Jon Shoehorn pointed out that events were missing from Troconis’ timeline: Fotis Dulos went out for a jog when they returned home from Starbucks and went to pick up her daughter from school.
- The defense disclosed a cell phone connected with the Bluetooth signal in Jennifer’s 2017 Chevrolet Suburban at 3:58 p.m. the day she disappeared.
- One of the six jurors deciding the case had an “emergency out of the country.”
- Juror 62 called and left a voicemail for a fellow juror saying they would not be in court. Juror 62 was dismissed from the case and replaced with an alternate, juror 399. There are two alternate jurors remaining.
DAY 11 – 1/26/24
- Jurors watched the second of three interviews with Michelle Troconis on June 6, 2019.
- The defense attempts to show no inconsistencies with the Troconis version of events.
- Troconis told police that she “thinks that she’s [Jennifer Dulos] still somewhere hiding.”
- Michelle Troconis’s sister, Claudia, makes an emotional plea for her sister’s innocence while speaking to the media on the courthouse steps.
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 11 Recap
DAY 10 – 1/25/24
- Michelle Troconis becomes emotional in court as her taped interview with police is played for the jury.
- Jurors watch the first of three interviews with Michelle Troconis.
- Troconis told investigators that she woke up early on the morning of May 24, 2019, because her juvenile daughter was afraid of the thunderstorm.
- Detective John Kimball, the lead case officer, told jurors there were inconsistencies with Troconis’ interview, specifically when she told them that Fotis “jumped in the shower” with her and never mentioned it again.
- Police were “genuinely” concerned about Troconis’ safety because Fotis Dulos was staring her down on the night of May 31 when he was detained and questioned.
- Detective Clabby tells Troconis that “Fotis killed Jennifer” to get a reaction from Troconis, to which she wails and places her face in her hands, and replies, “Oh my God, I don’t know.”
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 10 Recap
DAY 9 – 1/24/24
- Prosecutors recalled Detective Matthew Reilly, who testified to evidence found in their search, including a so-called ‘alibi script’ that listed times and activities.
- The three photocopied, handwritten notes were found in a black bag at 4 Jefferson Crossing, while the original copy was found in the home as well.
- Additional evidence was collected from vehicles registered to Fotis Dulos’ company, the Fore Group, as well as three homes in Farmington, Connecticut.
- A portion of the cargo area of Fotis Dulos’ 2015 Chevrolet Suburban was sprayed with luminol for testing and yielded a positive result for the presence of blood.
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 9 Recap
DAY 8 – 1/23/24
- Prosecutors reveal evidence collected from trash receptacles throughout Hartford that was discarded on the day Jennifer Dulos disappeared.
- Investigators found zip ties, two ponchos, a box cutter with a broken blade, a screwdriver, and a bent broom or mop handle, all with a blood-like substance on them.
- A white bra and a long-sleeved blue and white striped shirt covered in a blood-like substance was also found among items discarded along Albany Avenue in West Hartford.
- A shocking moment in court occurred when the prosecution team revealed the bra was still clasped and the shirt had been cut in the front.
- READ MORE: Bloody bra, zip ties link Michelle Troconis to missing mom, prosecution says
- Jurors watched videos of Fotis Dulos’ black Ford Raptor traveling along Albany Avenue and stopping at several trash bins.
- The Weather Tech cargo liner missing from Jennifer Dulos’ 2017 Chevrolet Suburban has never been recovered.
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 8 Recap
DAY 7 – 1/22/24
- After days of testimony, jurors heard Michelle Troconis’ name for the first time during the trial.
- Surveillance video showed Fotis Dulos’ black Ford Raptor driving in the Albany Avenue area of West Hartford.
- A woman matching the description of Michelle Troconis was seen leaning out the passenger door, allegedly disposing of an item.
- WATCH: Trial Exhibit: Fotis Dulos’ Movements After Jennifer’s Disappearance
- Altered license plates in a storm drain belonged to an unregistered vehicle belonging to Fotis Dulos.
- Surveillance video showed Fotis Dulos disposing of several black garbage bags throughout the Albany Avenue area of West Hartford.
- Defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn said, “[Michelle Troconis] admitted to being a passenger in the Ford Raptor and that Fotis Dulos was the driver.”
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 7 Recap
DAY 6 – 1/19/24
- A second juror was dismissed after telling fellow jurors he saw information about the case on social media and compared it to the movie, “Gone Girl.”
- Jurors heard testimony from a blood-splatter analyst regarding the blood located in the garage of Jennifer Dulos’ home in New Canaan, CT.
- Police were able to track Fotis Dulos’ cell phone in the Albany Avenue area of West Hartford, CT. The area is known to be a high-crime area.
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 6 Recap
- READ MORE: Juror dismissed after comparing case of missing mother to ‘Gone Girl’
DAY 5 – 1/18/24
- Jurors heard the DNA results from evidence collected from Jennifer Dulos’ New Canaan home, a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban and a 2014 Range Rover.
- DNA analyst Kristin Madel testified that they were able to establish a DNA profile for Dulos by using her electric toothbrush. Samples were also collected from all five of her children, her estranged husband, Troconis, the family’s nanny and one of Fotis’ employees.
- Jennifer’s DNA profile matched samples from the garage, kitchen and the vehicles.
- Michelle Troconis’ DNA was not found anywhere inside the house, garage or vehicles.
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 5 Recap
DAY 4 – 1/17/24
- Lauren Almeida, the long-time nanny for the Dulos children, told jurors that Jennifer “knew Fotis was having an affair and had proof.”
- Almeida met Michelle Troconis and her daughter for the first time in 2017 at the Miami Ski Club.
- WATCH: Nanny Testifies About Day Jennifer Dulos Disappeared
- Judge Randolph dismissed an alternate juror after the juror’s comment that “could be perceived to be favorable to the prosecutors.”
- Fotis Dulos was a potential person of interest during the initial investigation.
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 4 Recap
- READ MORE: ‘My stomach just sank’: Nanny describes day Jennifer Dulos disappeared
DAY 3 – 1/16/24
- Judge Randolph ruled testimony of “presumptive testing” regarding the testing of a reddish-brown substance found in the garage and kitchen would be permitted. He also ruled that the Dulos’ nanny could testify to Jennifer’s “state of mind” before her disappearance, even though the defense argued the information is hearsay.
- Jurors saw more photo evidence of reddish-brown stains throughout the garage and kitchen.
- Paper towel fragments with what appeared to be blood were seen in the garage, where it appeared someone tried to clean up.
- The Dulos’ nanny, Lauren Almedia, testified.
- Almedia said that Jennifer told her that she “had a feeling Fotis was having an affair because he was ‘acting weird.'”
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 3 Recap
DAY 2 – 1/12/24
- Judge Randolph rejects the defense’s argument over “junk science.”
- Investigators believed foul play was suspected in the missing person investigation.
- The reddish-brown substance found throughout the garage and kitchen was tested for blood.
- WATCH: Missing Mom Conspiracy Trial: Day 2 Recap
DAY 1 – 1/11/24
- No Opening Statements – the attorneys waived presenting opening remarks.
- Jennifer Farber Dulos’ nanny called the police and reported her missing.
- Police found reddish-brown spatter and droplets on Farber Dulos’ garage floor and vehicles. A partial footprint was found near Jennifer’s Land Rover and one of the garage bay’s entrances.
- Jennifer’s 2017 Chevrolet Suburban was seen on video leaving her neighborhood to drop her kids off at school, driving into the New Canaan Country Day School entrance, and returning home.
- The key fob to the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban, a jacket, and Jennifer’s purse were found on the floor between the mudroom and kitchen.
- The 2017 Chevrolet Suburban was found abandoned on the side of Lapham Road near Waveney Park, battery dead, vehicle in reverse, and blood on the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Michelle Troconis’ father and two sisters spoke to the new media outside the courthouse and insist that she was not guilty, and they remain supportive of her.
