Surgeon convicted of murder

Judge Joseph Bulone found plastic surgeon Dr. Tomasz Kosowski guilty of first-degree murder in the death of lawyer Steven Cozzi, forty-one, who disappeared in March twenty twenty-three.

The victim and the motive

Cozzi was representing defendants sued by Kosowski when he went missing from his law firm. Prosecutors said Kosowski had a malicious and personal obsession with him.

How the murder was planned

Prosecutors argued Kosowski methodically and systematically planned the murder. The trial lasted seven days, with Kosowski representing himself and waiving his right to a jury.

Evidence without a body

Cozzi's blood was found in his law office bathroom and in Kosowski's truck. Surveillance video showed Kosowski entering with a Gorilla cart box and leaving hours later with a very heavy wagon.

The prosecution's case

Assistant State Attorney Nathan Vonderheide said the evidence showed Kosowski murdered Cozzi on March twenty-first, twenty twenty-three, and disposed of his body in a dumpster that went to a landfill.

“This man murdered Steven Cozzi, and he murdered him in a violent way, leaving his blood in a multitude of locations.”

Kosowski's defense

Kosowski argued it was impossible for him to have committed the crime and questioned whether Cozzi died on March twenty-first, citing credit card transactions in the weeks after. He said reasonable doubt exists in droves.

“Reasonable doubt exists in droves in this case.”

Victim's family speaks

Cozzi's husband, Michael Montgomery, told the court the most unbearable part is they were never able to bring Steven home. His parents and husband gave victim impact statements describing their indescribable grief.

“The most unbearable part is that we were never able to bring Steven home.”

Death penalty phase begins

Judge Bulone found prosecutors proved two of three aggravating factors beyond reasonable doubt: financial gain and cold, calculated, premeditated murder. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October eighth.

Kosowski faces life or death

Kosowski waived his right to counsel and a jury for the penalty phase. He faces either life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, with sentencing expected after October eighth.