STAMFORD, Conn. — Facing charges connected to the disappearance and presumed death of New Cannan mother of five Jennifer Farber Dulos in May 2019, Michelle Troconis was sentenced on Friday to 20 years in prison; she will be released after serving 14.5 years.
Before a Stamford judge announced Troconis’ sentence, she was given an opportunity to address the courtroom. Troconis did not apologize for her actions but expressed remorse that she was in the situation.
Troconis, 49, placed the blame on her former partner, Fotis Dulos, the primary suspect in the disappearance of his estranged wife Jennifer Farber Dulos, when she spoke on Friday. Fotis Dulos died from attempted suicide in January 2020.
“Your honor, I am deeply saddened by this tragedy that has affected so many lives,” Troconis said. “I found out things before and during trial about a man, Fotis Dulos, I thought I knew and loved. I deeply regret ever being in a relationship with Fotis Dulos and bringing my daughter, my family and myself into his life.”
Troconis told the judge that she was grateful he allowed her to speak. While acknowledging those who have supported her over the past five years, Troconis said that religion is very important to her.
“I am a person of profound faith,” Troconis said. “And I have been praying and will continue to pray for those who suffered and still suffer. I am thankful to my whole family and my dear friends who have stood by me and support me.”
That was the extent of her remarks.
In March, Troconis was found guilty on six charges – during sentencing, the judge dropped one charge of conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence.
On Friday, Troconis was sentenced to 20 years for conspiracy to commit murder, five years for conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence, five years each for two counts of tampering with physical evidence and five years for hindering prosecution. Her sentence will be served concurrently, and she should be released from prison in 2038.
Troconis could have faced up to 45 years in prison, which is what the prosecution and Jennifer Farber Dulos’ family requested.
Troconis is a dual citizen of the United States and Venezuela. Her lawyer, Jon Schoenhorn, requested that Troconis have a Spanish translator in court, as Spanish is her first language.
During the trial, prosecutors said that Troconis was with Fotis Dulos on the night of Jennifer Farber Dulos’ killing. In a truck he borrowed from an employee, Fotis Dulos disposed of garbage bags at multiple locations and was caught on public surveillance cameras doing so – Troconis was in the truck.
Police found the bags and said they contained clothes, zip ties and other items that had Jennifer Farber Dulos’ DNA on them, as well as DNA from Fotis Dulos. Some of the items found in the bags contained blood. One of the bags had Troconis’ DNA in it.
Troconis claimed she was unaware of what was being thrown away that night. Her defense said she was mostly on her phone and not paying attention.
To this day, Troconis maintains her innocence.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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