Michelle Troconis Case Pushed To Oct. 1; Her Lawyer Files Appeal

NEW CANAAN, CT — The attorney for accused murder conspirator Michelle Troconis appealed to the state appellate court this week after his client's case was pushed to Oct. 1 in the ongoing saga over the disappearance of Jennifer Farber Dulos.

Troconis, who faces a conspiracy to commit murder charge, was scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 6, but due in part to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, her scheduled appearance was moved to Oct. 1. Kent Mawhinney, a Hartford area attorney who received the same charge in the case, is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 3.

"The defendant seeks expedited review of the latest continuance order, entered without her consent," Schoenhorn wrote in the appeal. "She was scheduled to argue her modification motions on August 8, 2020. The defendant requests either (1) an order requiring immediate review or (2) suspension of the nonfinancial conditions until and unless a court entertains her pending motions."

Troconis is free in lieu of bail of $2.1 million, but among other conditions, she remains under house arrest and must wear a GPS tracking device around one of her ankles.

Schoenhorn has attempted to have those nonfinancial components of her release relaxed, but so far has not prevailed. Troconis has been forced to wear the tracking device for more than a year while her case has been continued.

She and Mawhinney are accused of helping Fotis Dulos murder Jennifer Dulos, his estranged wife. Jennifer Dulos disappeared from her New Canaan home on May 24, 2019, following what police have described as a bloody, violent attack. Her body has not been found.

Fotis Dulos, who was charged with kidnapping and murder, died by suicide in January before he could stand trial for Jennifer's murder. At the time of her disappearance, the couple were in the midst of an acrimonious divorce and custody fight over their five children.

Troconis was Fotis Dulos' girlfriend at the time of Jennifer Dulos' disappearance, and Mawhinney was a friend of Fotis' who had represented him in previous legal matters.

"Continued enforcement of the nonfinancial conditions substantially interferes with the undersigned’s constitutional obligation to investigate the charges and prepare a defense with the client’s assistance, without the state watching her every move," Schoenhorn wrote. "Furthermore, the nearly 14 months of 24-hour GPS monitoring, over six months of house arrest, and intensive probation enforcement, constitute punishment without due process of law."

The Dulos case:

• Fotis Dulos Dies After Suicide Attempt: Attorney
• Michelle Troconis Had Expired Passport, Contact With Fotis: State
• 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
• 2 Of 3 Suspects Bond Out In Jennifer Farber Dulos Murder Case
• The Haggling Over Fotis Dulos Estate Has Begun: Report
• New Details On How Jennifer Dulos May Have Died: Warrant
• Jennifer Dulos' Killer Still At Large, Says Fotis Dulos' Family
• Finding Jennifer Dulos Remains '#1 Focus' For Chief Prosecutor
• Jennifer Dulos Was Never In 'Human Grave' Prosecutor Says: Report
• Shocking Details Revealed In Case Of Missing New Canaan Mom