Bizarre elevator remark leads to Juror’s removal in Michelle Troconis murder trial

A murder conspiracy trial in Stamford, Connecticut, takes an unexpected turn as a juror is dismissed for making a peculiar comment to prosecutors. The trial revolves around Michelle Troconis, accused of conspiracy to murder her ex-boyfriend’s estranged wife, Jennifer Dulos. The bizarre incident occurred when an alternate juror expressed love to prosecutors, prompting the judge to take action to ensure impartiality.

Jennifer Dulos went missing in May 2019, and investigators suspect her husband, Fotis Dulos, of killing her in their home’s garage. Troconis is implicated in assisting him in covering up the alleged murder. While Fotis faced charges, he died by suicide before the trial. Now, Troconis faces charges of conspiracy to murder, tampering with evidence, and hindering prosecution.

The unusual incident took place on January 17, when Assistant State Attorney Liz Moran and prosecutor Michelle Manning approached an elevator, realizing two jurors and a bailiff were inside. As they walked away, an alternate juror told them, ‘we love you.’ The remark prompted Judge Kevin Randolph to dismiss the juror, emphasizing the need for an impartial jury.

Bailiff Christian Alvarado, a witness to the incident, affirmed under oath: “The juror stuck his head out and said, ‘We love you.’ The door closed, and we went on our way.”

Judge Randolph, after questioning the juror, explained the decision to dismiss, stating, “The appearance that there was a favourable opinion to the state’s case indicates to the court that it would be difficult to proceed with him as a juror because the impartiality and fairness of that juror can reasonably be questioned.”

Troconis’s attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, deemed the incident a mistake, acknowledging the formality required in the judicial process. The dismissal occurred on the trial’s fourth day.