Michelle Troconis makes 1st court appearance on contempt charge

She's accused of displaying a sealed custody report from the Dulos divorce case on her laptop for the gallery and media to see during testimony, which was being livestreamed to the public at the time.

Marissa Alter

Mar 21, 2024, 5:59 PM

Updated 36 days ago

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Michelle Troconis made her first appearance in Stamford Superior Court since she was convicted of six felony charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, in the disappearance and presumed death of Jennifer Dulos. On Wednesday, Troconis was arraigned on the contempt of court charge she incurred during her trial. She's accused of displaying a sealed custody report from the Dulos divorce case on her laptop for the gallery and media to see during testimony, which was being livestreamed to the public at the time.
As Troconis was led into the courtroom Wednesday morning, she smiled and blew a kiss to several loved ones in the gallery. Troconis' supporters included her mother and close friend Clara "Petu" Duperron, who testified for the defense at trial. The hearing before Judge Alex Hernandez lasted just a few minutes during which Assistant State's Attorney Elizabeth Moran said she'd just turned over discovery to Troconis' attorney, Rob Frost, including a physical copy of the report.
"We have discussed, of course, that it is not to be provided to his client or to anyone in the public. I also discussed with him it should not be provided to anyone in his office without prior permission from the court," Moran stated.
Troconis' mother addressed the media outside the courthouse today. Marisela Arreaza said, "We stand here in support of Michelle Troconis after all these recent events. I want you guys to know she's a devoted mother, a sensible individual, and she would never harm any other human being, much less a mother like her. We, more than ever, are united as a family, and we will continue to support Michelle until we pursue her freedom."
Carrie Luft, the spokesperson for Jennifer Dulos' family, was also in court. Luft is the one who alerted prosecutors to her belief that a sealed report was pulled up on Troconis' laptop.
Both sides are expected to talk with the judge in the coming weeks about a possible deal. They're scheduled to return to court in the case on May 15.
But Troconis will be back before then. On April 10, there's a hearing on her attorney's motions for acquittal and a new trial. A jury of six convicted Troconis of six felony charges on March 1—conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit evidence tampering, two counts of evidence tampering and hindering prosecution. Jurors found her guilty of plotting with her then-boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, to kill his estranged wife, then helping him hide the crime and providing a false alibi to police. Jennifer Dulos was last seen on May 24, 2019. Police believe Fotis Dulos murdered her in her garage in New Canaan, then disposed of her body. Jennifer Dulos has never been found but was legally declared dead. Fotis Dulos died by suicide in January 2020 while facing murder, kidnapping and other charges in the case. Troconis was the first of the two remaining defendants to go to trial. Kent Mawhinney, Fotis Dulos' friend and former attorney, was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Mawhinney's trial has not been scheduled yet.
Troconis' sentencing is set for May 31. She faces a maximum of 50 years in prison if the sentences run consecutively and 20 years in prison if they run concurrently.
Troconis remains in custody at York Correctional Institution on $6 million bond.
Troconis faces up to six months in prison if convicted on contempt.


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