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Michelle TroconisHabeas Bid Opens as Ex-Lawyer Describes Prosecutor’s ‘Accessory to Murder’ Warning

The judge will weigh claims that her 2019 interviews went forward after a pointed call from the state’s attorney shifted her lawyer’s approach.

Overview

  • Day one of the judge-only habeas hearing featured about five hours of testimony from Andrew Bowman, who advised Troconis during the early investigation.
  • Bowman said he initially told Troconis not to speak with police but changed course after a June 2, 2019 call in which Richard Colangelo warned, “If we find the body, we’ll charge her with accessory to murder.”
  • He acknowledged arranging multiple interviews from June to August 2019 without seeking formal immunity, saying he aimed to show cooperation and rehabilitate her credibility.
  • Troconis argues her constitutional rights were violated by ineffective counsel and undisclosed communications, noting the interviews were later used as evidence at her trial.
  • Now serving a 14½-year sentence after her May 2024 conviction, she seeks a new trial as the court schedules continue on Jan. 9 and Jan. 16, with a ruling due within 120 days.