No novice in representing clients in the media spotlight, Hartford-based attorney Jon Schoenhorn is now representing the most infamous client of all.

That client, Michelle Troconis, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder over the high-profile disappearance of Jennifer Dulos.

Schoenhorn is no stranger to the news media. But he says this case has drawn intense interest, prompting late-night media calls, including a request for a midnight interview.

A former Connecticut newspaper reporter, Schoenhorn's 38-year law practice has included a slew of recognizable names. For instance, he represented James "Bo" Gritz, a former Green Beret lieutenant colonel who was the inspiration for the movie "Rambo." The attorney defended Gritz, who'd been charged with attempted kidnapping in Suffield in the 1990s.

The Jon. L. Schoenhorn & Associates principal and former president of the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association has represented murder suspects, plaintiffs in constitutional law issues and challenged youth-curfew laws.

But Troconis' case stands out, and promises to be especially complex.

Troconis was the live-in girlfriend of Fotis Dulos, whose wife disappeared. She and Dulos' friend, former attorney Kent Mawhinney, have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Dulos, meanwhile, was awaiting trial for murder, when he died by suicide.

Troconis has also been charged with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution. Media reports indicate that she told police she had no idea why she and Fotis Dulos had gone to Hartford the same day Jennifer Dulos was reported missing. The pair allegedly had garbage bags investigators said could have contained incriminating evidence from a murder scene.

Her lawyer suggested Troconis has become a scapegoat after the death of the prosecutors' prime suspect.

"Michelle was a bit player," Schoenhorn said Monday. "But now that the big fish is gone, they are turning to who is left to justify millions of [taxpayers'] dollars in … investigation."

Schoenhorn was at Troconis' side Friday as the 45-year-old former publicist pleaded not guilty in court to conspiracy to commit murder. He took over the case from attorney Andrew Bowman.

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Influx of requests

Schoenhorn said he knows how to handle the media, having worked two stints with the Republican-American newspaper. This time, though, he concedes the media has inundated him with requests.

"There has been a lot of hounding," Schoenhorn said. "I've been asked to appear on every network news outlets magazine show and their prime-time shows. I'm not shy by any means, but those requests are not appropriate at this time."

While Schoenhorn has spoken to some local media outlets, he said he doesn't plan on doing an all-out media blitz until he has more facts about the case.

"It's annoying to get a text at 11:30 p.m. … from a national network asking if I'd do a midnight Skype interview to appear the next day," he said. "They asked if I'd mind, and I said I would."

Schoenhorn, 65, said he can do without the "snarky tweets by some in the media, especially the New York media."

"I believe in communicating facts, but I want the public to know what is happening, to know the truth, and to distinguish between fact, speculation and fiction," he said,

Meanwhile, Schoenhorn said he was never given the police interviews with his client, despite assurances he'd get them. When he does get those interviews, Schoenhorn said, he'll look at the possibility that language barriers could have affected Troconis' answers to police. Her first language is Spanish.

Chief State's Attorney Richard Colangelo, who is prosecuting the case, declined to comment because the matter is pending.

The next court date is March 20.

Since the alleged crimes occurred in Hartford and Avon, Schoenhorn said the case should be heard in Hartford and not in Norwalk and Stamford, where it's currently being heard.

He said, "We will work on getting the case back to where it belongs."

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