Michelle Troconis sentenced to more than 14 years for helping boyfriend murder his wife

Michelle Troconis, the Connecticut woman convicted of helping her boyfriend murder his estranged wife in 2019, was sentenced to 14½ years in prison Friday following an emotional, hours-long hearing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Tronconis, 49, was convicted this year on six criminal counts, including the top charge of conspiracy to commit murder in connection to the death of Jennifer Dulos, a New Canaan mother of five.

She was sentenced to 20 years, a term that will be suspended after 14½ years when she’ll then serve five years of probation, under the sentence handed down by Stamford Superior Court Judge Kevin Randolph.

The defense had pleaded for probation in stark contrast to the prosecution’s request of 45 years.

“There are some questions that are age-old,” Randolph said from the bench. “When does retribution turn into revenge? What’s the role of empathy? Should the court exercise sympathy for one side or another? These are age-old questions.”

But with good time credit, Troconis could be eligible for parole after spending just 7¼ or 12 ⅓ actual years behind bars, Hartford attorney James Bergenn said.

The emotional testimony of both sides was tough to hear on Friday, Bergenn said, but the judge came down with a proper ruling.

“He was more moved by his duty,” Bergenn told NBC Connecticut. “He explained it in the most succinct and logical way that you could.”

Prosecutors said they were disappointed their 45-year request wasn’t enforced but they accept Randolph’s ruling.

“After listening to the victim-impact statements, especially from Jennifer’s children, we had hoped for a more stringent sentence, yet we accept Judge Randolph’s decision and respect it,” State’s Attorney Paul Ferencek said in a statement.

“Although Jennifer’s family and friends will probably never experience full closure from the trauma Troconis has thrust upon them, hopefully today’s sentence will afford them at least some sense that justice has been achieved.”

Carrie Luft, a friend of the victim and spokesperson for the family, said Dulos’ loved ones are satisfied with the punishment meted out by the judge.

“For us, there is some relief in knowing the defendant will serve substantial time for her crimes, starting now,” Luft said in a statement. “This painful chapter has come to a close, but the legal process continues, and none of it will bring Jennifer back.”

Prior to sentencing, Randolph vacated Troconis’ conviction on one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. That ruling didn’t impact the ultimate the sentence, as her punishments run concurrently.

Troconis’ boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, a luxury home builder and suspect in his estranged wife’s disappearance, died in 2020, two days after attempting suicide.

Jennifer Dulos
Jennifer Dulos. New Canaan Police via AP
The man was suspected of killing Jennifer Dulos at her home before driving away with her body, which has never been found.

Fotis Dulos denied killing his wife, who vanished May 24, 2019. She’s been since declared dead by a probate court.

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