STAMFORD, Conn. — A Stamford judge has sentenced Michelle Troconis to 20 years in prison, but she will be released after 14 and a half years, for conspiracy to commit murder charges connected to the disappearance of New Canaan mother of five Jennifer Farber Dulos.
The judge ruled that Troconis would serve 20 years for conspiracy to commit murder charges, five years for one count of conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence, five years each for two counts of tampering with physical evidence, and five years for hindering prosecution. These sentences will be served concurrently and she will be released after 14 and a half years served, projected to be in 2038. She will then serve five years of probation.
Before the sentencing, Judge Kevin Randolph ruled to vacate the fourth count, conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence.
Troconis shared remarks to the judge before being sentenced. Through tears, and speaking in English, she said in part, "I found out things before and during trial about a man, Fotis Dulos, I thought I knew and loved. I deeply regret ever being in a relationship with Fotis Dulos and bringing my daughter and family and myself into his life."
Troconis requested an interpreter to translate the sentencing hearing and criminal trial, as English is not her first language.
Prior to sentencing Friday, the prosecution requested Judge Kevin Randolph to sentence Troconis with a "maximum period of incarceration."
“She [Troconis] gave Jennifer a death sentence, so we are requesting a life sentence. Forty-five years," The prosecution told the court.
The friends and family of Jennifer Farber Dulos, including her children and her mother, spoke in front of the court to share memories of Jennifer in victim impact statements, as well as note the "lack of remorse" and "cruelty" of Troconis.
"I wish I could share my victories with her, but I can't," Jennifer's eldest son, Petros, now 17, said in court. "I want to end with a lesson my mom taught me. Leave everything the same or better than you found it. Michelle Troconis, you did the opposite and you should be punished."
"These kids have become my whole world and they have taught me what unconditional love is,” said Lauren Almeida, the nanny of the Dulos children. Almeida told the court she left behind everything in her personal life to care for the children and stand by them as they grow up without their parents.
Almeida and Jennifer's friends and family took care of the children as the search for their mother was underway.
"We didn't leave the kids alone because we were certain Michelle and Fotis would take them," Almeida added in her statement.
OTHER WAYS TO WATCH: How to watch the Michelle Troconis sentencing
Troconis’ parents and loved ones asked for the judge’s mercy on Troconis, sharing remarks about her being an active member of her local community service groups and becoming a parent to her daughter, Nicole.
“We were all deceived by Fotis,” Troconis’ mom told the court. “As this trial revealed a man vastly different from whom we thought we have met. Had I known the danger Michi [Troconis] was in, I would have removed her and my granddaughter from his presence.”
“I am begging you to listen, I need my mom in my life,” Troconis’ 17-year-old daughter, Nicole, said. “My love for her remains uninfluenced by the situations or difficulties we may encounter.”
In a March 2024 trial, Troconis was found guilty on all six charges connected to Jennifer's disappearance. Following her guilty verdict, Troconis did not post bond and had been held at York Correctional in East Lyme.
On April 10, a Stamford judge denied motions for an acquittal and a new trial for Troconis. The rulings came hours after arguments from Troconis' defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn.
Troconis is the one-time girlfriend of Fotis Dulos, Jennifer's estranged husband who was charged in her murder. Fotis took his life in January 2020 and his case ultimately did not go to trial.
Jennifer was last seen on May 24, 2019, dropping her children off at school. She was reported missing that evening, and an investigation was started.
Troconis was seen in the passenger seat of a Ford Raptor, in which Fotis was seen dumping evidence into trash bins along Albany Ave. in Hartford the evening Jennifer went missing.
Troconis also accompanied Fotis to the car wash, where he had the Toyota Tacoma he drove to and from Jennifer's New Canaan home detailed, according to court testimony.
During a two-month trial, the jury was presented evidence collected from multiple homes and vehicles and viewed surveillance footage obtained from neighbors and highway rest stops. The jury also watched hours of interrogations investigators conducted with Troconis.
Testimony from the witnesses the prosecution called to the stand included investigators who responded to the initial missing person's report on behalf of Jennifer on May 24, 2019, forensic scientists who tested the evidence collected for blood and DNA, and a former employee of Fotis.
Defense witness testimony included experts in psychology and linguistics, as well as neighbors, colleagues and others who were once close to Fotis and Troconis.
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