Tomasz Kosowski convicted of the murder of lawyer Steven Cozzie

Steven Cozzi, a 41-year-old attorney from Clearwater, Florida, represented clients sued by Kosowski. Relations between the men quickly became strained. During the trial, the prosecutor's office emphasized that the surgeon was "obsessed" with Cozzie. According to investigators, Kosowski methodically planned the crime for many weeks, analyzing every detail and preparing for its implementation.

A trial without a jury, without witnesses and without a defense lawyer

Tomasz Kosowski decided to take an unusual step - he represented himself in court, giving up both the defense lawyer and the right to a jury trial. Judge Joseph Bulone found him guilty of first-degree murder after hearing closing arguments.

During the seven-day trial, Kosowski did not call any witnesses in his defense and did not give his own testimony.

Evidence that determined the verdict

Although Steven Cozzie's body has not been found, the prosecutor's office presented a number of evidence pointing to the surgeon's guilt. Traces of blood were found in the bathroom of the lawyer's office, and CCTV recorded Kosowski entering the building with a large cardboard box and then leaving it with a heavy stroller.

Traces of the victim's blood were also discovered in the accused's car. Prosecutor Nathan Vonderheide emphasized that Kosowski "was obsessed, prepared and carried out his plan", and Cozzi was murdered on March 21, 2023.

According to investigators, Kosowski disposed of the body by throwing it into a garbage container, which was then sent to a landfill.

"This man murdered Steven Cozzi in a brutal way, leaving his blood in many places," the prosecutor said during his closing argument.

During the trial, Kosowski tried to undermine the investigators' findings. He claimed he was physically unable to move the victim's body to the car. He also pointed to alleged transactions on Cozzie's credit card after his disappearance. However, the court did not believe these explanations, and none of them were confirmed by the evidence.

The verdict will be announced on October 8

The prosecutor's office is demanding the death penalty for Kosovo. He points to three aggravating circumstances: acting for financial gain, "cold, calculated and planned" execution of the crime and "particular cruelty". The judge found the first two factors proven, which was enough for Kosowski to be sentenced to death. The final decision will be made during the hearing scheduled for October 8.

Mother of the murdered man: Nothing will bring back what was taken from us

During Wednesday's hearing, the court heard moving speeches from Steven Cozzie's relatives. His husband, Michael Montgomery, spoke of the pain and anger of a family that couldn't even bury a loved one. "The most unbearable thing is that we were never able to bring Steven's body home," said Montgomery. He emphasized that his husband's life should not be defined by his tragic death, but by the good he brought to the world.