Juror In Troconis Trial Dismissed After Discussing 'Gone Girl': Report

STAMFORD, CT — A juror was dismissed Friday for discussing the book and movie, "Gone Girl," during the trial of Michelle Troconis, one of the suspects in the disappearance and death of Jennifer Farber Dulos, according to media reports.

News 12 Connecticut reported that the juror was dismissed, following questioning from Superior Court Judge Kevin Randolph and attorneys.

"Gone Girl," a novel by Gillian Flynn and a movie starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, was floated as a possible scenario for the case by attorney Norm Pattis, who formerly represented the late Fotis Dulos.

Fotis Dulos was charged with kidnapping and murdering Jennifer Dulos, his estranged wife, but he died by suicide before he could stand trial. The Duloses were in the midst of a contentious divorce and child custody fight at that time of her disappearance on May 24, 2019, from her New Canaan home.

Jennifer Dulos' body has not been found, and a probate judge has declared her officially dead.

The plot of "Gone Girl" involves a wife who fakes her own death, and her husband is accused of the crime.

According to a report in the Hartford Courant, another juror wrote a note to Randolph that the dismissed juror had discussed the case and referred to "Gone Girl."

Both jurors reportedly were questioned about the incident, and the jury was asked whether the "Gone Girl" reference would influence them.

Flynn blasted Pattis for referencing her book as a possible scenario in the case, saying that she was "sickened" by the reference.

Earlier this week, an alternate juror in the trial was also dismissed, after he said "we love you" to prosecutors during a break, reported the Stamford Advocate.

Troconis is the former girlfriend of Fotis Dulos, and her trial could last another five weeks. The trial for another defendant, former attorney Kent Mawhinney, who was a friend of Fotis', has not yet been scheduled.

Both Mawhinney and Troconis were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, and both have pleaded not guilty. Mawhinney is expected to testify against Troconis.

Read the News 12 Connecticut story; read the Hartford Courant story; Read the Stamford Advocate story.

The Dulos case:

• 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
• House Arrest Lifted For Suspect In Jennifer Dulos Disappearance Case