Michelle Troconis trial: Juror dismissed for ‘Gone Girl’ comment

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A juror in the trial of Michelle Troconis was dismissed Friday for discussing the Jennifer Farber Dulos case and referencing the novel and movie, “Gone Girl.”

One of the jurors gave Judge Kevin Randolph an unsigned note, which he read aloud in Stamford Superior Court.

“One of the jurors discussed something about the case and it was all over social media. Said it was like ‘Gone Girl’… some of the jurors said don’t discuss this,” the note read.

“Gone Girl” is a novel-turned-film about a woman who fakes her own disappearance, and her husband becomes a suspect.

Testimony was paused for much of the morning as the judge cleared the courtroom to speak with the jurors about the comment and determine if any of the jurors needed to be dismissed.

Randolph said the juror who made the comments was dismissed. An alternate juror was dismissed earlier this week for telling a member of the prosecution team, “We love you.”

“Every juror indicated they would be able to afford the state and defense a fair trial,” the judge told the court.

After the juror was dismissed, the bulk of the testimony centered around bloodstain pattern analysis by Connecticut State Police Col. Mark Davison. He was brought in to document stains found in Farber Dulos’ garage and her two SUVs.

“The red portion of the stain on the surface, this blood-like stain, is characteristic of a swipe mark,” Davison said.

He testified his analysis revealed at least two bloodshed events inside the garage. He also walked the jury through their reconstruction process, which helps investigators determine, based on the pattern of the blood, what may have happened.

“Based on the spatter stains that were on the Chevy and the bloodstains on the floor, it was likely the Suburban was parked on the left side of the garage facing forward,” Davison said.

State police believe Farber Dulos was attacked inside her garage by Fotis Dulos on May 24, 2019, after she dropped their five kids off at school. They were going through a contentious divorce and custody battle at the time.

Connecticut State Police Sgt. Kenneth Ventresca took the stand late in the day and showed photos of Albany Avenue in Hartford. This location has been vital to this case and is expected to play a significant role in the trial. Ventresca is expected to resume testifying on Monday.

Troconis faces charges of second-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to commit murder.

Troconis is accused of being with Dulos when he drove around Hartford disposing of evidence and was allegedly with him when he washed a truck to clear it of evidence. She has denied any involvement in Farber Dulos’ disappearance.

Dulos died by suicide after being charged eight months after Farber Dulos disappeared. In his suicide note, Dulos said Troconis, his live-in girlfriend at the time he allegedly killed Farber Dulos, had nothing to do with her disappearance.

Farber Dulos’ body has never been found. However, a judge declared her dead in October 2023.