STAMFORD, CT — A jury found Michelle Troconis guilty on all counts in connection with the disappearance and death of Jennifer Farber Dulos, a 50-year-old mother of five from New Canaan.
Prosecutors convinced the six-person jury in Stamford Superior Court, following a six-week trial, that Troconis conspired with Fotis Dulos to kill his estranged wife, according to the verdict which was announced Friday morning.
Troconis was Fotis’ girlfriend at the time, and she was found guilty on all charges Friday including:
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As the verdict was read, Troconis bowed her head and wept, while her legal counsel consoled her. Her bond was raised from $2.5 million to $6 million, and she was taken away in handcuffs. Her sentencing date is May 31.
Prosecutors believe Troconis, and fellow defendant Kent Mawhinney, helped Fotis with the murder, and the attempted cover-up. Both Troconis and Mawhinney pleaded not guilty.
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Mawhinney is a former attorney and friend of Fotis’, who will be tried on the conspiracy to commit murder charge at a later date.
Both were accused of helping Fotis Dulos craft “alibi scripts” after the murder. Troconis, additionally, traveled with Fotis when he discarded trash bags in Hartford that contained evidence. Authorities found blood-soaked clothing, towels, sponges, and other items in the bags.
Some items had Fotis Dulos’ DNA on them, and a portion of one bag tested positive for Troconis’ DNA, a state forensics expert testified at the trial.
Troconis’ attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, said Troconis had no idea what Fotis Dulos was doing or what was in the bags. He also said Fotis Dulos could have touched her and spread her DNA to one of the bags.
During deliberations on Wednesday, the jury asked to review the testimony of Troconis’ friend, Clara “Petu” Duperron, WTNH News 8 reported. Additionally, on Thursday the jury asked for clarification on the tampering charge.
Jennifer Dulos vanished from her New Canaan home on May 24, 2019, and authorities believe Fotis killed her in the garage of the home and then discarded the body. Her remains have not been found.
Fotis Dulos, a luxury home builder who hailed from Greece, was charged with kidnapping and murdering Jennifer, but he never stood trial, because he died following a suicide attempt in January 2020. He denied the charges.
The Duloses were going through a contentious divorce and child custody fight at the time of her disappearance.
Jennifer Dulos was a member of a wealthy New York City family and a niece by marriage of fashion designer Liz Claiborne. Although her body has never been found, a medical examiner concluded suspected blood spatter in her garage and other evidence indicated she could not have survived. A probate judge declared her officially dead in October.
Troconis is a dual American and Venezuelan citizen who once had her own TV production company in Argentina and hosted a snow-sports show for ESPN South America.
The Dulos’ five children, who ranged from 8 to 13 years old when their mother disappeared and include two sets of twins, have been in the custody of Jennifer Dulos’ mother, Gloria Farber, 88, in New York City ever since.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Dulos case:
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