The chief state's attorney filed new charges against Michelle Troconis as she appeared in court Friday on earlier charges connected to the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos.
Richard Colangelo filed charges of second-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence, and conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence against Troconis, the ex-girlfriend of Fotis Dulos.
The charges are related to evidence the state says it has showing Dulos and Troconis disposing of items along Albany Avenue in Hartford.
Jennifer Dulos, a mother of five, has been missing for more than a year. She has been missing since May 24, 2019 and was last seen when she dropped her five children off at school in New Canaan that morning.
Fotis Dulos was Jennifer Dulos’ estranged husband, and he was charged with Jennifer Dulos' murder. He died in January, days after police interrupted his suicide attempt at his Farmington home.
Troconis was charged with conspiracy to commit murder charges in the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos. She has pleaded not guilty to all of the previous charges filed against her.
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Attorney Jon Schoenhorn called for the removal of some of the non-financial bond restrictions on his client.
In a memo filed in Stamford Superior Court ahead of the hearing, Schoenhorn argued that the GPS monitoring and 24-hour house arrest imposed on Troconis as part of her bond conditions are excessively restrictive, violate her constitutional rights and that they were imposed based on inaccurate evidence presented to the court.
Schoenhorn is calling for the removal of the ankle bracelet GPS monitoring, to end his client's participation in the Intensive Probation Program, house arrest and curfew requirements. He is also asking the court to lift travel restrictions within the US and the requirement that his client report to a probation officer or CSSD official while on pretrial release.
Currently, Troconis is not allowed to leave her apartment except for meetings with her attorney, religious services, medical appointments, and court.
A judge Friday removed "IPS" reporting, which is a pretrial check-in program, but everything else remains in place, including GPS monitoring, while the judge thinks the case over and issued a written decision.
Schoenhorn called the one change made today “baby steps” and he said he’s disappointed with judge’s decision today and will be filing a motion to review.
He said he struggled to get a hearing on the matter in Superior Court due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and that also adds to an undue burden on Troconis. He previously filed a motion to have the bond conditions altered with the Connecticut Appellate Court.
Schoenhorn said Troconis is not a flight risk and that she has close ties to the Hartford area.
Prosecutors said they had no problem relaxing some conditions, but Troconis has no connection to the area other than the case and they wanted the GPS monitoring to remain.
Troconis' sister, Marisela Troconis, spoke with the media after the court appearance and said Michelle is innocent, they’re a very close family, and she’s happy for today’s “baby steps.”
"I just want to reinforce that my sister is innocent and that I thank God for today's 'baby steps.' I really thank him because I had the opportunity to come here and be together. We are a very united family ...," she said.
