STAMFORD, Conn. — The criminal trial of Michelle Troconis’ involvement in the events that led up to the disappearance of New Canaan mother of five Jennifer Dulos started Thursday with testimony from current and former members of the local police force.
Troconis is the one-time girlfriend of Jennifer’s estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, who was charged with Jennifer’s murder before he took his life in January 2020.
Thursday’s testimony brought the jury back to May 24, 2019, the day Jennifer was reported missing.
A New Canaan police lieutenant and a retired New Canaan police sergeant were the first of the witnesses to testify. Lt. Aaron LaTourette recounted responding to 69 Welles Lane for a welfare check on Jennifer Dulos on the evening of May 24, 2019.
Body cam footage from his colleague Officer Matt Blank, shown to the court, depicts LaTourette and Blank walking around the house, checking closets and rooms in search of Jennifer. Blank did not testify Thursday.
The only thing that immediately stood out during the initial search was the purse in the home, LaTourette testified, as police were told Jennifer usually has the purse with her when she's not home.
While at the house, a Land Rover with “blood” and scuffing on the front and the sides was found parked in the garage, LaTourette recalled.
Meanwhile, a radio call announced a Chevy Suburban was found parked and unoccupied on Lapham Road near Waveny Park, and the officers took car keys found at the house with them while they responded to the found vehicle.
Back in the courtroom, cross-examination pinpointed where LaTourette searched in Waveny Park before going back to the house. A Wilton police K9 accompanied Officer Blank in the woods of Waveny Park before going to search for Jennifer’s scent in her home, using Jennifer’s jacket found inside.
At the home, investigators took pictures of markings on the concrete garage floor, and while on the stand, LaTourette said it appeared "to be smeared spot, pinkish and reddish in color, as if something was cleaned up.”
Retired police sergeant Scott Romano was initially off duty the day Jennifer went missing; he was called in that night to Waveny Park to help start the investigation and watch over the Chevy overnight. The next morning, Romano, while wearing gloves, got in and out of the SUV to get it on and off the tow bed when police seized it for evidence, Romano testified.
MORE NEWS: Judge declares Jennifer Dulos dead: Attorney
Testimony also included New Canaan Police Officer Kelly Coughlin, who is a school liaison for New Canaan Country Day School. She identified Jennifer’s car in campus surveillance footage from the morning she was last seen.
State Police Trooper Corey Clabby with Troop G in Bridgeport also testified. In the early morning hours of May 25, his role was to film a walkthrough of the home on 96 Welles Lane for the Western District Major Crimes Unit. The entire video, which was close to an hour long, was played for the court.
Troconis' family told FOX61 they would stand by her throughout the trial.
"We know that she’s innocent," Dr. Carlos Troconis, Michelle Troconis' dad, told FOX61. "We are trusting this fair trial."
“My sister is innocent no doubt," said Marisela Troconis, the sister of Michelle Troconis. "And we’re here together as a family to acknowledge that this is a tragedy. This is a tragedy to all of us and also to the other family and the children.”
Troconis faces six charges:
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- Conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence – In connection to May 24, 2019
- Tampering with physical evidence – In connection to May 24, 2019
- Conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence – In connection to May 29, 2019
- Tamping with physical evidence – In connection to May 29, 2019
- Hindering prosecution
The trial is set to continue on Friday.
Leah Myers is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at lmyers@fox61.com
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