Jennifer Dulos Case: Examination Of Forensic Evidence Continues

STAMFORD, CT — In week three of the Michelle Troconis trial, prosecutors continued to present forensic evidence in an effort to tie Troconis to the plot to kill Jennifer Farber Dulos, the 50-year-old New Canaan mother-of-five who vanished from her home on May 24, 2019.

The week began with continued cross-examination of the lead investigator in the case, Connecticut State Police Det. John Kimball, who the defense believes used aggressive tactics while questioning Troconis in 2019, NBC Connecticut reported.

Jennifer Dulos' body has not been found, and prosecutors believe that Troconis was part of an effort to cover up the murder. Troconis and Kent Mawhinney, a former attorney, are accused of assisting the late Fotis Dulos, Jennifer's estranged husband, in the murder plot. Both Troconis and Mawhinney, who is expected to go on trial at a later date, have pleaded not guilty.

Jennifer and Fotis Dulos were in the midst of a bitter divorce and child custody fight at the time of her disappearance, and Fotis was charged with kidnapping and murdering her. He never stood trial, because he died after a suicide attempt in January 2020.

Week three also featured the introduction of surveillance video of the red Toyota pickup truck that authorities believe Fotis Dulos used to cart Jennifer's body before he disposed of it, reported Fox61.

The truck is owned by Pawel Gumienny, a former employee of Fotis Dulos' luxury home building business. Gumienny is expected to testify in the case, perhaps during week four.

Investigators collected forensic evidence from the truck, including what appeared to be blood.

Prosecutors believe that Fotis Dulos drove to New Canaan in the pickup truck, left it at Waveny Park, rode an old bicycle to Jennifer's home where he killed her. They believe he then put her body in her SUV, drove back to Waveny, put her body in the pickup truck and left, leaving the SUV behind.

Fotis Dulos had the pickup truck detailed, and seats swapped, after the crime, according to prosecutors.

Week three also featured testimony from state forensic experts about evidence recovered from garbage Fotis Dulos threw away in the Hartford area, reported the Stamford Advocate.

That evidence included garbage bags with bloody clothing, sponges, rags, mops and other items, which Fotis Dulos was seen on surveillance video discarding.

News 12 Connecticut reported that human hair, believed to be from Jennifer Dulos, was found among the discarded items.

Troconis' attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, attempted to discredit some of the evidence, because he argued it could have been tainted by being mixed in with other garbage.

Also, during week three, another juror was dismissed, leaving only two alternates remaining, reported the Stamford Advocate. Jurors were also dismissed during week one.

The trial resumes on Monday with week four; it is expected to run for six weeks.

The Dulos case:

• Jennifer Farber Dulos' Family: Seeing Bloody Evidence Was 'Brutal'
• Jennifer Dulos Case: Jury Hears Authorities Feared For Troconis' Life
• Jennifer Dulos Case: New Updates As Mystery Remains Unsolved
• New DNA Evidence Disclosed In Jennifer Dulos Disappearance
• New Documentary Explores Jennifer Dulos Murder Mystery
• Troconis Wants Evidence Thrown Out In Dulos Disappearance Case
• Mystery Continues 3 Years After Jennifer Farber Dulos' Disappearance
• New Details On How Jennifer Dulos May Have Died: Warrant