Fotis Dulos' Condition Is 'Dire,' His Attorney Says

STAMFORD, CT — Fotis Dulos is in "dire" condition following a suicide attempt on Tuesday, his attorneys said in court Wednesday, and they do not appear optimistic that he will make a recovery. Dulos, 52, is facing murder and kidnapping charges in connection with the killing of his estranged wife, Jennifer Farber Dulos. Her body has not been found. She was reported missing in May 2019.

Attorneys Norm Pattis and Kevin Smith appeared before Judge Gary White in Stamford Superior Court at an emergency bond hearing. Before the proceedings, however, Pattis and Smith came to a legal agreement with State's Attorney Richard Colangelo not to pursue revocation of Dulos' bond, which will allow him to return to Connecticut from a New York hospital.

Dulos was not at the hearing, because he is being treated for serious carbon monoxide poisoning at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, where he is receiving treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, according to WTNH-TV. He is listed in critical condition, and he is under police guard at the hospital.

A new arrest warrant was established for Dulos and his bond was raised from $6 million to $6.5 million, but the moves are considered technicalities that will allow his family to visit him in what could be his final hours or days. If he recovers, the legal decision also will allow him to return to Connecticut, accompanied by Pattis or Smith, because his attorneys waived extradition.

"This was a humane outcome," Smith said outside of court. "It allows his family to see him, and it gives the state [of Connecticut] a guarantee that he will return should he recover."

Also late Wednesday, Farmington Police said that "as a part of their continued investigation, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crimes detectives have obtained and are executing a search warrant at the home of Fotis Dulos." Police provided no additional details concerning the search of Dulos' home.

Wednesday's hearing, which was supposed to be held on Tuesday before authorities discovered the suicide attempt, was called because two homes that Dulos had used for collateral for the bond are under foreclosure. One of the properties in New Canaan, is overvalued by more than $300,000, according to Palmetto Surety, which expressed concerns over its underwriting of the bond.

Though his bond was raised to $6.5 million, Pattis secured the services of New York bondsman Ira Jedelson to take over the bond obligations from Palmetto Surety.

In an interview with NBC Connecticut before Wednesday's hearing, Pattis said he feels a sense of responsibility for Dulos' suicide attempt.

"I can't speculate to (Dulos') motives," Pattis said in the interview, referencing Dulos' suicide attempt. "I feel that I let him down, that he trusted me to be his good shepherd through valley of shadow of death, and perhaps he reached out and I didn't hear what he needed. I feel a sense of responsibility for his welfare."

Officials said Fotis Dulos attempted suicide Tuesday morning before he was to face the judge. He faced the prospect of going to jail if his bond was revoked.

Pattis said he never suspected Dulos might try to take his own life. But Pattis, who said he spoke with his client Tuesday morning, acknowledged that news of the emergency bond hearing upset him.

"Obviously the potential for a bond revocation was devastating news to him, but throughout he has been a fighter and resolute," Pattis said. "In our review of the discovery, we very much liked our options for trial, and we very much liked our possibility for success. So this development comes as stunning news to me."

Fotis Dulos is facing murder and kidnapping charges in connection with the killing of Jennifer Farber Dulos, 50, who was last seen on May 24.

Authorities returned to Dulos' Farmington home on Wednesday to search for clues to the suicide and the case, reports the Hartford Courant.

The two were in the midst of a contentious divorce and custody battle over their five children at the time of her disappearance.

Pattis said that while he would not discuss his conversations with his client, he said that Dulos was facing a mountain of scrutiny in connection with the case — on social media, in stores, and everywhere he went.

"I don't know if people who have not been accused can appreciate the savageness of the criminal justice system," Pattis said. "We have a presumption of innocence in this country for a reason, and all the folks who harped on Mr. Dulos can obviously take some grim satisfaction in today's event, but my message to every one of them is shame on you."

The Dulos case

• Jennifer Dulos Case Search Warrants: Fotis Tried To Run Her Over
• 6 Facts About Jennifer Dulos Murder Case
• Warrant Details Possible Motive On Why Jennifer Dulos Was Killed And Why Police Believe She Is Dead
• New Details On How Jennifer Dulos May Have Died: Warrant
• 2 Of 3 Suspects Bond Out In Jennifer Farber Dulos Murder Case