The Michelle Troconis trial resumed Monday in Connecticut, following an expert’s testimony that five human hairs were found in evidence collected by investigators after the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Troconis is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence, and hindering prosecution. The accusations center around her alleged efforts to fabricate an alibi for her former boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, on the morning his estranged wife vanished.
Troconis is also accused of aiding in the cleaning of a pickup truck that law enforcement believes was utilized in the commission of the crime to drop off trash bags in several trash cans in Hartford.
Last week, forensic scientist Kristen Madel detailed the items retrieved in Hartford that exhibited potential blood traces, along with DNA samples that were subsequently extracted and dispatched to a lab.
She also testified that five human hairs were gathered from evidence along Albany Avenue in Hartford and from a red Toyota Tacoma, which investigators suspect Fotis Dulos drove on the day Jennifer vanished.
The collection included one hair from the door panel of the Tacoma, another from a sponge, one from a towel, another from a clear plastic bag, and the last from the knot of a black plastic bag, NBC Connecticut reports.
(H John Voorhees III//Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool)
Investigators previously said that they traced the Tacoma driving toward New Canaan, where Jennifer lived, and returning later on the morning of May 24, 2019, the day Jennifer vanished. Rest stop cameras in New Canaan and Fairfield captured the truck on the footage, they said.
Troconis’ defense attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, tried to block the forensics testing from being presented to the jury. However, now that it has been permitted, he said he would hold the state responsible for distinguishing between what was confirmed as blood and what was either not blood or remained unconfirmed.
“Even though it’s not about Michelle Troconis, it’s not about her blood, it just keeps coming in and it’s not all blood,” he told reporters outside court on Friday.
Before her disappearance, Jennifer had become entangled in a contentious divorce and child custody battle with Fotis, who was allegedly dating Troconis in secret at the time.
Fotis was later charged with murdering Jennifer at her New Canaan, Connecticut, home, but he took his own life in January 2020, leaving Troconis to face the legal consequences alone.
Troconis has denied all charges against her. The trial continues. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Jennifer Dulos/Handout]
