(L) Michelle Troconis/Conn. State Police, (R) Jennifer Dulos/NamUS
STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — A woman accused of helping to cover up the disappearance and presumed killing of a Connecticut mother of five has asked a judge to block a variety of evidence, alleging police made false statements in several search warrant applications and didn’t show there was probable cause for the searches.
Michelle Troconis is charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the presumed death of Jennifer Dulos, of New Canaan, who has not been seen since May after dropping her five children off at school. Dulos’ body has not been found, but authorities believe she could not have survived an attack at her home where a bloody crime scene was found.
Troconis’ lawyer, Jon Schoenhorn, said he planned Wednesday to file a challenge in Stamford Superior Court to a search warrant that allowed police to collect cell phone tower evidence, which tracks people’s movements. He also filed several motions Monday seeking to block DNA evidence, cell phone records and other evidence collected by police under approved search warrants.
Among other allegations, Schoenhorn said police were wrong to say in the warrants that Troconis was recorded on surveillance video disposing of items that later tested positive for Dulos’ DNA. He said the video only shows her leaning out of a truck and touching a sidewalk while her boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, Jennifer Dulos’ estranged husband, disposed of evidence.
Fotis Dulos was charged with murder in Jennifer Dulos’ death, but died in January following a suicide attempt.
Chief State’s Attorney Richard Colangelo said he would not respond in the media to Schoenhorn’s “ridiculous comments” and would argue against the “frivolous motions” in court.
Troconis and Fotis Dulos’ friend, Kent Mawhinney, are accused of helping Fotis Dulos cover up the killing.
