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Michelle Troconis sobs as police interview about Jennifer Dulos’s death played at trial: Updates

Michelle Troconis is accused of helping then-boyfriend Fotis Dulos cover up the murder of his estranged wife Jennifer Dulos in Connecticut in 2019

Andrea Blanco,Rachel Sharp,Andrea Cavallier
Monday 29 January 2024 13:50 GMT
Michelle Troconis defended by her family at Jennifer Dulos murder conspiracy trial

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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Michelle Troconis is facing trial in Stamford, Connecticut for her alleged role in helping her lover Fotis Dulos conceal the murder of his estranged wife and mother of his five children, Jennifer Dulos.

At the time of her disappearance in May 2019, Jennifer – whose remains have never been found – was in the midst of a bitter divorce and custody battle with Dulos. Investigators believe Fotis killed her in the garage of her home and that Ms Troconis, Fotis’ then-girlfriend, helped him cover up the murder.

On Thursday, Ms Troconis broke down in tears in the courtroom as jurors were shown her first interview with police following Jennifer’s disappearance.

In the footage, she is heard claiming that she and Dulos were staying together that morning, and that he woke up in her presence and got in the shower with her.

Earlier in the week, jurors saw a bloodstained long-sleeve, striped Vineyard Vines shirt that Jennifer is believed to have been wearing on the day she was killed.

Fotis killed himself in 2020 after being charged with murder.

Ms Troconis is charged with conspiracy to murder, tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution.

Warning: Graphic images

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Crime analyst Krista O’Reilly walks jurors through Fotis Dulos’ steps after killing

(Law&Crime)
Andrea Blanco23 January 2024 20:08
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Defence suggests Michelle Troconis couldn’t see bloody clothes through black plastic bags

During cross-examination, defence attorney Jon Schoenhorn suggested that just as law enforcement was not able to determine that a blood-soaked bra was inside the black plastic bag Fotis Dulos disposed of until it was brought to a lab and cut open - his client wouldn’t have been able to see what was inside.

“You couldn’t see through that,” Mr Schoenhorn asked Sgt Duggan.

Mr Schoenhorn also asked whether Sgt Duggan could tell what items had touched each other. Sgt Dugga said he couldn’t.

It appears the defence is to point out a scenario in which Michelle Troconis’ DNA accidentally ended up in one of the bags also with Jennifer Dulos’ DNA.

Andrea Blanco23 January 2024 19:38
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Prosecutors showed the court the blood-soaked bra previously shown in pictures

The bra was cut on the front, Sgt Duggan testified.

(Law&Crime)
Andrea Blanco23 January 2024 19:21
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Court is on lunch break until 2.05pm ET

Andrea Cavallier23 January 2024 18:04
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Jury is shown woman’s blood-soaked bra and shirt

A woman’s white bra and striped shirt were presented in court – both completely covered in what Sgt Duggan testified to be blood like substance.

The evidence was admitted shortly after a broken razor blade and blade holder were shown in court.

The blade along with the clothing was seized from the trash bag recovered from where Fotis Dulos and Michelle Troconis allegedly dumped bags on the same day as Jennifer Dulos’ disappearance.

All of the items were sent to the lab, Sgt Duggan testified.

(Law&Crime)
(Law&Crime)
(Law&Crime)
Andrea Cavallier23 January 2024 18:03
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Two sets of gloves covered in ‘what appears to be blood’ recovered from trash bins

The state presented to the court two different sets of black gloves that were admitted into evidence.

Both pairs were covered in “what appears to be blood,” Sgt Duggan testified.

The gloves were seized from the trash bins where Fotis had been throwing out bags of items in the area of Albany Avenue and Green Street.

(Law&Crime)
(Law&Crime)
(Law&Crime)
Andrea Cavallier23 January 2024 17:34
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White towel and broken mop handle with blood-like substance shown in court

The state is holding up a large white bath towel with faint blood-like stains on it.

Sgt Kevin Duggan confirmed that both items were found in bins at Albany Avenue and Green Street.

(Law&Crime)
Sgt Kevin Duggan holds up bloody zip ties at Michelle Troconis’ trial
Sgt Kevin Duggan holds up bloody zip ties at Michelle Troconis’ trial (Law&Crime)
(Law&Crime)
Andrea Cavallier23 January 2024 17:24
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Court is shown pictures of bloody-soaked clothing items recovered from trash

Another garbage bag contained several zip ties, a blood-soaked bra and long shirt, and two plastic ponchos also with blood-like stains.

(Law&Crime)
(Law&Crime)
Andrea Blanco23 January 2024 16:17
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Sgt Kevin Duggan takes the stand

Sgt Kevin Duggan, with the CT State Police’s crime division, told the court that law enforcement seized the content in the garbage cans that Fotis Dulos stopped at.

Sgt Duggan said that among the items seized from the trash can was a white t-shirt with what appeared to be blood stains.

(Law& Crime )
Andrea Blanco23 January 2024 15:50
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WATCH: Michelle Troconis and Fotis Dulos seen dumping trash bags after alleged murder

Michelle Troconis and Fotis Dulos seen dumping trash bags after alleged murder
Andrea Blanco23 January 2024 15:05

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