Attorney: ‘Unlawful’ interrogations conducted in Jennifer Dulos case

STAMFORD — The attorney representing Michelle Troconis in the Jennifer Dulos homicide case has filed a complaint with the state Judicial Branch, accusing a probation officer of conducting “unlawful” weekly interrogations of his client.

According to attorney Jon Schoenhorn, his client has “illegally” been required to show pay stubs and provide information about meetings related to her defense strategy.

“This is unlawful and unconstitutional custodial interrogation, and must cease immediately,” Schoenhorn wrote in a letter obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media.

The letter was sent July 22 to Gary Roberge, executive director of the Court Support Services Division, which oversees supervision of defendants who have been released on bond with conditions.

Judicial Branch officials declined to comment on the letter.

In the letter, Schoenhorn cited the probation officer assigned to oversee his client’s electronic monitoring and other terms of her release on $2.1 million bond.

Troconis is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution in the death and disappearance of Jennifer Dulos, who vanished May 24, 2019.

Schoenhorn contends in the letter that the probation officer is acting “under the mistaken impression that Ms. Troconis is a probationer or guilty of some offense.”

The probation officer has required weekly in-person meetings, which are now conducted remotely, and questioned “the reason for legal meetings that take place outside my office,” Schoenhorn said.

“I witnessed his call come in last month while she and I were meeting in Farmington, and he asked her what we were doing,” Schoenhorn said. “If he incorrectly believes that he is acting in accordance with the law, I ask you to put a stop to this practice.”

Schoenhorn also contends that if the probation officer is sharing information on Troconis’ whereabouts with law enforcement, it would “constitute a direct interference with my representation.”

Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn speaks to the media outside the Stamford courthouse in February as his client, Michelle Troconis, center, stands with her family.