John Poulos murder case: Court shows security footage surrounding death of Wisconsin man’s Colombian girlfriend

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Wisconsin man accused of killing his Colombian girlfriend returned to courtroom Wednesday, Feb. 1 the place prosecutors and the sufferer’s household lawyer offered info on the couple’s relationship in addition to photographs and video earlier than, throughout and after the girl’s dying.

John Poulos — who used to reside in Franklin with a spouse and three children earlier than submitting for divorce in 2021 — is accused of flying to Colombia final month, assembly up with girlfriend Valentina Trespalacios, killing her, hiding her physique in a suitcase and disposing of the corpse in a dumpster, then making an attempt to flee abroad.

Poulos was again in courtroom Wednesday after his preliminary appearances had been off to a rocky begin. His preliminary lawyer stop because of threats from the group and Poulos known as for a brand new interpreter after issues earlier interpreters weren’t ample sufficient. Poulos doesn’t communicate or perceive fluent Spanish.

With a brand new lawyer and new interpreter, the courtroom was in a position to maneuver ahead with proceedings.

The Prosecutor’s Workplace in Colombia offered background info on the connection between Polous and Trespalacios.

The 2 met on Instagram about 11 months after Polous filed for divorce in Milwaukee County Courtroom. Poulos would ship Trespalacios cash on a weekly foundation by way of cash switch service MoneyGram, in keeping with prosecutors who interviewed Valentina’s associates.

These associates advised police Poulos demonstrated many cases of jealous habits, like monitoring Valentina’s Instagram and taking extra excessive steps.

“Mr. Poulos was upset, and in that chance, that event, advised Valentina he had employed personal investigator to maintain tabs, [to surveillance] her,” a courtroom interpreter stated on behalf of prosecutors.

The couple argued and fought in December of 2022 however made up.

Poulos allegedly made plans to go to Colombia to reside with Trespalacios.

Safety digital camera video reveals John Poulos arriving at an residence in Bogota on Jan. 19 with a blue suitcase that’s lacking a wheel.

Footage confirmed how Poulos and Trespalacios met on Jan. 20 and are seen coming into the residence collectively. Nobody else moreover the couple is seen coming into or leaving the room. On Jan. 22, Poulos leaves the room with the blue suitcase, inside which police say contained the physique of Trespalacios. Poulos then took the suitcase to a automotive in a storage. Safety video confirmed Poulos taking the suitcase to a storage and placing it in a automotive.

“Take discover of the energy and power he makes use of to insert the bag into the trunk,” the interpreter stated, because the safety footage was proven to the courtroom which is assembly through video name.

Trespalacios’ physique was later present in a dumpster that prosecutors say Poulos disposed the corpse in.

The health worker in Colombia decided the dying to be the results of asphyxia by strangulation, with proof of violence, given bruising and blood on the physique.

Prosecutors stated Poulos is a flight threat and subsequently needs to be held in Colombia for future courtroom proceedings.

“The [fleeing] of John Poulos after disposing of Valentina’s physique in a rubbish container is an evident signal that he intends to evade justice of not eager to face the sufferer’s household and Colombian society,” the interpreter stated.

An lawyer for the Trespalacios household additionally spoke on the listening to, urging the decide to maintain Poulos in Colombia for worry of a flight threat. The lawyer stated Poulos’ meant remaining vacation spot when he purchased a ticket from Panama to Istanbul, Turkey was Montenegro, which the lawyer stated does not have an extradition settlement with Colombia.