Michelle Troconis' lawyers file 2nd motion to have contempt charges in Jennifer Dulos trial dismissed

By Josh LaBella, Staff Writer

May 12, 2025

Michelle Troconis, center, is photographed in Stamford Superior Court during an appearance related to a contempt charge on April 21, 2025. Attorneys for Michelle Troconis filed a second motion on Monday to dismiss the criminal contempt charges pending against her in the Superior Court in Stamford. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

Attorneys for Michelle Troconis, who was convicted in the presumed death and disappearance of Jennifer Dulos, have filed a second motion to dismiss the criminal contempt charges lodged against her after the trial. 

The Crosland Law Group, which represents Troconis, cited — in a motion filed Monday and a subsequent news release — the state's failure to comply with a court-ordered deadline to respond to a previously filed motion to dismiss. 

The attorneys noted that the initial motion to dismiss the charges, filed in April,

argued that the information filed by the state was legally insufficient for "failing to

allege the essential element of willfulness."

Troconis's lawyers said a hearing later that month saw the court grant prosecutors additional time over the objections of the defense, and ordered a response to the motion be filed no later than May 7. They said nothing has been filed as of Monday, more than five days after the deadline.

"This is not merely a procedural oversight. It is a direct violation of the Court’s order and the Connecticut Practice Book," Attorney Darnell D. Crosland said. "The failure to oppose the Motion to Dismiss is a default that speaks volumes. The State has effectively conceded to our position."

In the motion, Troconis's attorneys argued "The continued pendency of a vague and defective charge without State opposition is fundamentally unfair and prejudices the defendant’s right to a prompt and just resolution." The defense is seeking both criminal attempt of court charges be dismissed with prejudice.

The charges against Troconis came after prosecutors say she viewed sealed documents during her trial, which ended with her convicted of conspiracy to commit murder along with the other five charges she was facing.

In April, Assistant State's Attorney Michael Nemec told Judge Alex Hernandez he recently had been assigned the case and needed more time to formulate a response. The next court date was set for June 18.

Troconis is serving a 14½-year sentence after being found guilty by a jury last year of conspiring to murder Jennifer Dulos with Fotis Dulos, the New Canaan woman's estranged husband, who died by suicide in early 2020.

May 12, 2025

Josh LaBella REPORTER

Josh LaBella is a breaking news reporter and former reporter for the Fairfield Citizen. He has been with Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2020. When not working, he can be found playing video games or Dungeons & Dragons, reading, hiking or hanging with friends.