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Student Journalists Interview Major Players in High-Profile Murder Case

Communication majors in a newswriting and reporting class had the chance to talk with the state's attorney who led the investigation into the disappearance and death of Jennifer Farber Dulos, and they also spoke with the defense attorney representing one of the alleged suspects.

August 28, 2024

By Jackie Hennessey

Mikaela Motz 27 with a couple friends on campus
Mikaela Motz 27 with a couple friends on campus

It was a crime that gripped Connecticut and people around the country and the world: The disappearance of New Canaan mother Jennifer Farber Dulos and the case of Michelle Troconis, who was convicted earlier this year of conspiracy to commit murder.

Thanks to the connections of their professor, students in the Universitys newswriting and journalism class had the chance to interview two of the key players in the high-profile case: Former Chief State's Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., J.D., who was the lead investigator and helped prosecute the case, and Attorney Jon Schoenhorn, who represented Troconis.

Gabby Pinto 26 said it was a learning experience she will take with her throughout the rest of her courses and into her career.

Gabby Pinto 26 with Charlie and her mom when she visited campus for an admissions event
Gabby Pinto 26 with Charlie and her mom when she visited campus for an admissions event

It was like being allowed to cross the velvet rope when it comes to asking the prosecution and defense about the case, she said. I had VIP access. People make their own assumptions on a case from what they see broadcast on TV. I got to speak with people who were actually in the room.

In late May, Troconis was sentenced to 20 years in prison following her

Function as an actual newsroom

Andy Thibault, adjunct professor of communication, film and media studies, said the course is designed to be centered on experience-based learning. Whenever, possible, we did our best to function as an actual newsroom, he said.

Thibault said students had access to the arrest warrant, watched selected excerpts of the trial, discussed daily news reports by Connecticut reporters and reviewed the biographies of key players. The students also practiced asking questions with prior guests.

Pinto, a communications major with a concentration in multi-platform media and journalism, had the chance to ask Attorney Schoenhorn what he felt the impact was of Tronconiss first language being Spanish. Schoenhorn said she had been interviewed for hours by police with a different defense attorney present, who said she did not need an interpreter. Schoenhorn brought in an expert witness in linguistics who testified about how a person has to translate a question and then translate their answer, which can lead to them not fully understanding a question or making mistakes when they speak.

When interviewing Attorney Colangelo, who is an adjunct faculty member at the University, Pinto said she wanted to know about hypothetical situations. I think a lot of people wondered if things would have been different if Fotis Dulos didnt end his life, so I asked.

It is also always interesting to learn about different cases, situations, and people along the way

Pinto who wants to pursue a career in communications said it was just the kind of experience an emerging journalist needs. I feel like each interview Im a part of helps me to learn how to form better questions and respond to interviewees in a more professional manner, she said. I also didnt really know how to ask any follow-ups in the beginning. Im just now starting to muster up the courage to ask for more specific answers if the interviewee doesnt fully comprehend what I asked the first time around.

It feels great this University gives students the opportunity to speak with people who have taken part in something as big as the Troconis case, she added.

Classmate Mikaela Motz 27 said interviewing Colangelo and Schoenhorn gave her a strong sense of the work that needs to be completed before composing and publishing an article.

In certain cases, it can be difficult to dig up information and compose questions, but with practice and experience, it forms an even stronger journalist, said Motz, a communications major with a concentration in multi-platform media and journalism. It is also always interesting to learn about different cases, situations, and people along the way.

Got the job done

Prof. Thibault said developing the skills displayed by Pinto and Motz is key to success. For any new reporter, it can be intimidating, frightful, and confusing to question a public figure, he said. I know it was for me. I encouraged our reporters students to be assertive, creative, and relentless in hunting down primary sources humans and documents.

Gabby and Mikaela got the job done as if they were riding bicycles smoothly on a quiet, country lane, he added.

Motz, who covers sports and campus events for , wants to work as a reporter covering an MLB or NBA team.

Being engaged in these experiences is why she came to the University. I was drawn in by the Universitys insightful and hands-on experience-based learning that the professors provide for their students.

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