Connecticut judge continues contempt case against Michelle Troconis without ruling on motion to dismiss

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant on Apr 21, 2025

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STAMFORD, Conn. — The criminal contempt case against Michelle Troconis — tied to the trial in the death of Connecticut woman Jennifer Farber Dulos — has been continued without a ruling on her attorney’s motion to dismiss the matter.

Troconis, 50, appeared Monday in Stamford Superior Court where her matter was continued to June 18, according to the clerk’s office. The continuance came without a ruling on a motion filed by Troconis’ attorney, Stamford-based lawyer Darnell D. Crosland.

Troconis was charged with contempt of court after authorities said she showed a sealed custody report on a computer screen while she stood trial on charges related to the death of Farber Dulos, who disappeared in May 2019.

Crosland, who did not represent Troconis in the criminal trial, argued in his motion that the display of the report was not deliberate and was inadvertent “at best.” He also argued that media members who photographed the trial and took video were warned not to capture certain things and that a cameraman zoomed in closely on the defense table at one point, which showed the report on Troconis’ screen.

During the trial, Carrie Luft, a friend of Farber Dulos and spokesperson for the Farber family, allegedly saw the sealed report and notified prosecutors.

A jury found Troconis guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, second-degree hindering prosecution and two counts of tampering with evidence. She was sentenced in May 2024 to 14 1/2 years in prison, followed by five years of probation.

In his motion to dismiss, Crosland argued that prosecutors are trying to tack on six more months of prison time and are unfairly punishing Troconis based on the high-profile nature of the case.

Prosecutors are expected to issue a response to the motion to dismiss and multiple other motions filed by Crosland.

Authorities believe Fotis Dulos killed Farber Dulos, a mother of five, after lying in wait for her at her New Canaan home. At the time, the two were involved in contentious divorce proceedings and a custody battle. Dulos was dating Troconis at the time and the two were living in his Farmington mansion.

During the trial, prosecutors showed videos of the multiple interviews Troconis had with law enforcement and accused her of being untruthful about Farber Dulos’ disappearance.

Dulos died in January 2020 after attempting suicide in his Farmington home. He had been charged with murder at the time of his death.

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