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88-year-old Connecticut mother testifies about daughter's disappearance in murder conspiracy trial

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88-year-old Connecticut mother testifies about daughter's disappearance in murder conspiracy trial

The 88-year-old mother of Connecticut mother-of-five Jennifer Dulos testified at a murder conspiracy trial Wednesday that she has not seen or communicated with her daughter since she disappeared and was presumed by police to be murdered in 2019.

Dressed in a gray suit with scarfs, Gloria Farber didn’t show much emotion as she told the jury that her daughter was supposed to meet her at her New York City apartment on May 24, 2019, after a doctor’s appointment, but never showed up. She suggested Dulos would never abandon her children.

“She was always there for them,” Farber testified about her daughter in the sixth week of the trial against Michelle Troconis in Stamford Superior Court in Connecticut.

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Ever since Dulos vanished, Farber has had custody of her five grandchildren, who at the time ranged in age from 8 to 13.

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Troconis denies allegations that she helped Dulos’ estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, cover up the killing of Jennifer Dulos. At the time, Troconis was dating Fotis Dulos and living with him in Farmington, after Jennifer Dulos and the children had moved out and were living about 70 miles away in New Canaan.

Jennifer Dulos’ body has never been found. Farber’s testimony was part of the prosecution’s effort to show her 50-year-old daughter was killed by Fotis Dulos in an attack at her New Canaan home on May 24, 2019. A state probate court declared Jennifer Dulos legally dead in October.

Fotis Dulos died by suicide in January 2020, weeks after being charged with murdering Jennifer Dulos. He denied the allegations. At the time of her disappearance, they were battling each other in contentious divorce and child custody proceedings.

Troconis has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.

The case drew widespread attention and was the subject of a made-for-TV movie, Lifetime’s “Gone Mom.” Jennifer Dulos was a member of a wealthy New York family whose father, the late Hilliard Farber, founded his own brokerage firm. She also was a niece by marriage of fashion designer Liz Claiborne. Fotis Dulos was a luxury home builder originally from Greece.

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Troconis, a dual American and Venezuelan citizen, has described herself as a co-founder of horse-riding therapy programs in different parts of the world who once had her own TV production company in Argentina and hosted a snow-sports show for ESPN South America.

This undated contributed photo courtesy of the Farber family shows Jennifer Farber Dulos. Gloria Farber, the 88-year-old mother of Connecticut mother-of-five Jennifer Dulos, testified at a murder conspiracy trial Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that she has not seen or communicated with her daughter since she disappeared and was presumed by police to be murdered in 2019. (Courtesy of the Farber Family via AP)

Prosecutors Sean McGuinness and Michelle Manning rested the state’s case Wednesday morning after Farber’s testimony. Troconis’ lawyer, Jon Schoenhorn, immediately made a motion for an acquittal, which was denied by Judge Kevin Randolph.

Schoenhorn argued there was no evidence that Troconis knew about Fotis Dulos’ alleged plans for the killing beforehand, or afterward when she accompanied him on trips that prosecutors said were intended to destroy evidence in the case.

McGuiness disagreed, and Randolph ruled there was enough evidence for the jury to make their own conclusions on the charges.

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Police alleged Fotis Dulos drove his employee’s pickup truck to a New Canaan park that morning, rode a bicycle to Jennifer Dulos’ house, attacked her in the garage and drove off with her in her Chevy Suburban, which was later found abandoned at the park.

Later the same day, Troconis accompanied Fotis Dulos to Hartford, where he disposed of several garbage bags in random locations — a trip partially recorded by surveillance cameras.

Police found some of the bags and said they contained clothing, zip ties and other items containing Jennifer Dulos’ DNA. Some of the items, including a shirt and bra, had blood-like stains on them. Some items had Fotis Dulos’ DNA on them, and one bag tested positive for Troconis’ DNA, a state forensics expert testified at the trial.

CONNECTICUT PASTOR CHARGED WITH SELLING CRYSTAL METH OUT OF CHURCH RECTORY

Schoenhorn said Troconis had no idea what was in the bags. He also said the match with Troconis’ DNA was found on a microscopic sample, and Fotis Dulos could have touched her and later spread her DNA to one of the bags.

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Police also said Troconis helped Fotis Dulos write up a timeline of their activities to prepare for potential questioning by police. Troconis told police she only did that at the request of Fotis Dulos and his lawyer. And she also went with him when he had the employee’s truck cleaned and detailed at a car wash, prosecutors said.

And on the morning of Jennifer Dulos’ disappearance, Troconis answered Fotis Dulos’ cellphone, which he had left at his Farmington home. Prosecutors suggested that was part of the murder conspiracy to give Fotis Dulos an alibi. Schoenhorn denied the allegation.

Police interviewed Troconis three times in 2019. They said she initially lied that Fotis Dulos was home the morning of May 24, but acknowledged that wasn’t true in a subsequent interview and said she didn’t see him that morning.

Also charged in the case is Kent Mawhinney, a friend and former lawyer of Fotis Dulos. He pleaded not guilty and awaits trial on a conspiracy to commit murder charge.

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The defense began to present its witnesses Wednesday. Testimony in the trial is supposed to finish on Friday or Monday.

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Boston, MA

2026 Yukon Denali Ultimate gets pricey, but tops the charts

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2026 Yukon Denali Ultimate gets pricey, but tops the charts


GMC and their flagship Yukon brings all-around excellence with this week’s tester: the 2026 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate

This cousin to the Chevrolet Tahoe provides all of the space, comfort, style and luxury anyone could want.

In 2026, the GM brand worked wonders on their existing fleet and added nice trim levels to keep the competition always thinking about what they’re doing next.

Our Glacier White Tricoat tester was flawless and completely destroys the competition in the American Luxury market.

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Known for its high MSRP and resale values, the Yukon Denali Ultimate has a base price of $103K and is powered by a 6.2L ECOTEC3 V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. With 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, our weeklong tester had a 8,400 pound towing capacity.

The Yukon Denali Ultimate had a slew of standard features including a 16.8-inch premium infotainment system, 24-inch wheels and a 15-inch head-up display. Upgrades include second-row captains seats, BOSE performance sound system with 22-speakers and Night Vision – all totaling an additional $7,090. Boasting a Woodland Mahogany interior, the Yukon Denali Ultimate is certainly classy for all consumers and exemplifies the American Luxury that GMC provides.

In Grasso’s Garage, the Flagship GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is the real deal. It looks stellar, rides good, and has good values. Although pricey for most consumers, the usage in this category is second to none. I was able to fit six adults on our way to dinner and heard a ton of compliments on its comfort and style, in addition to its spaciousness.

The GMC Yukon has a long-lasting history in the fleet, and in my opinion, having the Denali Ultimate package added is just the way it has to be to experience its full offerings.

Grasso’s Garage is here for you! Looking for more auto reviews or are you in the market for a new car? Head to https://www.bostonherald.com/tag/automotive/. Also, for honest input, reach out to me directly: marc.grasso@bostonherald.com.

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2026 GMC Yukon 4WD Denali Ultimate

MSRP: $103,900

MPG: 14 city / 18 highway / 16.2 as tested

As Tested: $113,785



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Pittsburg, PA

What was happening in Pittsburgh in 1776?

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What was happening in Pittsburgh in 1776?






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Connecticut

Police investigating double homicide in Hartford

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Police investigating double homicide in Hartford


Police are investigating a double homicide in the Frog Hollow section of Hartford, officials said.

According to officials, police were notified by citizens of a large fight that happened on Madison Street near Zion Cemetery just after 7 p.m. When officers got to the scene, they found a man in his 30s unresponsive and suffering from a stab wound.

The man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

While at the scene, investigators learned that two others were taken to an area hospital via private car.

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One of them was another man in his 30s suffering from a gunshot wound and was in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead. A 17-year-old was the second one taken to the hospital via private car, but his injuries were non-life-threatening, officials said.

According to officials at the scene, investigators do not believe the public is in danger and are reviewing surveillance footage in the area as part of the investigation.

Neither man has been identified by officials at this time.

No arrests have been made at this time, police said.

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