TOLLAND — State Judge Carl Schuman denied Michelle Troconis's habeas petition on May 18, 2026, rejecting her claim of ineffective legal counsel in the death of Jennifer Dulos. Schuman wrote that attorney Andrew Bowman "was competently acting as Troconis's advocate at all times." The judge determined Bowman's "advice to the petitioner fell within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance."

Troconis filed the petition in 2024, arguing Bowman erred by advising her to participate in three police interviews before her arrest. During a three-day trial earlier in 2026, Bowman testified he allowed the interviews because he believed police were close to making an arrest and hoped Troconis could avoid charges. Schuman noted in his order that Bowman instructed his client to tell the truth and participated in each interview.

Attorney Michael Fitzpatrick, an expert witness for Troconis, criticized Bowman's decision to allow repeated interviews. Troconis claimed Bowman failed to secure immunity or inform her of the consequences. Former state's attorney Richard Colangelo Jr. agreed Bowman had not discussed a potential immunity deal prior to the interviews. Colangelo stated he would not "have agreed to an immunity deal without knowing what Troconis was going to say."

Troconis was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence, and hindering prosecution at her 2024 trial and is serving a 14½-year sentence. Jennifer Dulos was last seen on May 24, 2019, and reported missing that night. Prosecutors have claimed Fotis Dulos killed Jennifer Dulos after she dropped off her children. Surveillance cameras in Hartford recorded two people resembling Fotis Dulos and Troconis making stops along Albany Avenue shortly after Dulos disappeared. Fotis Dulos died in January 2020 from injuries suffered during a suicide attempt. A judge later declared Jennifer Dulos legally dead.