STAMFORD, Conn. — A Stamford judge has granted a request by Michelle Troconis, who asked for a public defender to represent her during the appeal process.
Troconis appeared in front of the judge for less than a minute on Tuesday before the judge announced his decision.
“Just asking that the application be granted today, your honor, and that the legal services unit in Hartford be appointed please,” said Jared Milbrandt, supervisor for the Stamford branch of the Division of Public Defender Services in CT.
Troconis filed the motion for the public defender and a waiver of fees back in June, citing in the motion that she “cannot pay the fees, costs, and expenses of an appeal (I am indigent), and I cannot afford to hire an attorney.”
Troconis was sentenced to 14-and-a-half years in prison back in May after a jury found her guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.
The charges were all in connection to the 2019 death and disappearance of Jennifer Farber Dulos. During the seven-week trial, prosecutors argued Troconis plotted with her then-boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, to murder Jennifer and hide the evidence.
In a letter sent by her family after the sentencing, they wrote: “Tragically, Michelle is bearing the consequences of actions perpetrated by Fotis Dulos, who ultimately took his own life to avoid prosecution for his alleged crimes.”
To obtain a public defender in the state of Connecticut, the defendant must meet the minimum income requirements. The state’s website lists the following guidelines, saying the annual income of the accused with a dependent must be at or below $45,990.
Troconis remains at the York Correctional Institution in Niantic. During sentencing, her former attorney requested she be released on bond pending her appeal. That request was denied.
RELATED: Family of Michelle Troconis releases statement 2 weeks after sentencing in Jennifer Dulos case
Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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