Michelle Troconis Again Denied Removal Of GPS Device

STAMFORD, CT — A judge on Tuesday again denied Michelle Troconis' request to have the GPS monitoring device removed from her ankle in connection with the Jennifer Farber Dulos disappearance case, despite Troconis' attorney calling it a form of punishment.

Troconis, one of two suspects charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the case, has worn the device since June 3, 2019, a couple of days following her initial arrest.

"She's worn this device for just under two years, which we believe constitute unreasonable punishment without due process of law," Troconis' attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, told Stamford Superior Court Judge John Blawie during a hearing via videoconference. "She's been compliant with every request from the court, every condition."

Troconis, and defendant Kent Mawhinney, both face the same charge in connection with the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos, the New Canaan mother-of-five who vanished from her home on May 24, 2019. Monday marked the two-year anniversary of her disappearance.

Law enforcement believes Dulos was kidnapped and murdered by her estranged husband, the late Fotis Dulos. Authorities also believe that Troconis, Fotis' ex-girlfriend, and Mawhinney, an attorney and former friend of Fotis, assisted him in the plot. Jennifer Dulos' body has not been found, and she is presumed to be dead; Fotis Dulos died after a suicide attempt last year before he could stand trial.

State's Attorney Paul Ferencek argued Tuesday for Troconis to keep wearing the GPS device, in part because the court already has been accommodating to her and allowed her to travel out of state on several occasions, none of which were hindered by the device.

Blawie appeared to agree with Ferencek in ruling again to deny Troconis' request. Schoenhorn has made the request multiple times, including an appeal to the Appellate Court.

"This device is the least intrusive, non-financial condition I can think of," Blawie said.

While denying the removal of the GPS, Blawie is allowing Schoenhorn to receive a copy of psychological reports associated with Jennifer and Fotis Dulos' contentious divorce proceedings. Those proceedings ended with their deaths. The judge, however, added a condition that Schoenhorn not publicly release the reports.

The couple battled in court on the divorce and child custody issues for two years before Jennifer's disappearance.

In addition to the GPS device, the two sides also argued over what disclosure evidence still needs to be released to Schoenhorn, and whether the release of more information could prejudice a jury if it gets out to the public. The state has requested a limit on what is released.

Schoenhorn has sought a mountain of reports, documents, video recordings and other materials, much of which he has received. He and Ferencek plan to meet in the near future to personally go over what items are left to be released.

"I don't believe that anything I've sought is prejudicial," Schoenhorn said.

"We're only trying to safeguard information to ensure a fair trial," Ferencek said.

Blawie said he will make a decision on those matters at a later date.

The Dulos case:

• Judge Denies Kent Mawhinney Request To Remove GPS Device
• Shocking Details Revealed In Case Of Missing New Canaan Mom
• Jennifer Dulos Case: New Updates As Mystery Remains Unsolved
• New DNA Evidence Disclosed In Jennifer Dulos Disappearance
• New Documentary Explores Jennifer Dulos Murder Mystery
• Law Enforcement Convinced Someone Knows Where Jennifer Dulos Is
• 6 Facts About Jennifer Dulos Murder Case
• Warrant Details Possible Motive On Why Jennifer Dulos Was Killed And Why Police Believe She Is Dead
• The Haggling Over Fotis Dulos Estate Has Begun: Report

• New Details On How Jennifer Dulos May Have Died: Warrant