[ad_1]
A Florida plastic surgeon accused of killing a lawyer and dumping his physique within the Everglades had a paralyzing drug, a wagon to move the corpse and a pickup truck with a particular license plate flipping machine to keep away from detection, in line with new courtroom filings from prosecutors.
Authorities say Dr. Tomasz Kosowski killed lawyer Steven Cozzi within the toilet of Cozzi’s regulation workplace moments after each participated in a March 21 convention name a couple of prolonged, acrimonious authorized battle over medical billing.
Prosecutors stated in courtroom paperwork that Kosowski took the decision from a Toyota pickup truck outdoors the workplace and that he had provides to commit the killing, together with trash luggage, a syringe containing a paralyzing drug and a wagon to haul the corpse out.
Though Cozzi’s physique has by no means been discovered, investigators used cellphone information and surveillance video to trace Kosowski to a distant space west of Miami on the Tamiami Path, often known as U.S. Freeway 41. That is the place they imagine Kosowski tossed the physique right into a Dumpster that was finally emptied by a rubbish truck. The motive force seen an unusually “vile” odor on the cease, authorities stated.
“Video from the rubbish truck of the Dumpster being emptied into the rubbish truck reveals a big rubbish bag falling in a way inconsistent with regular trash,” prosecutors stated in a movement asking a decide to carry Kosowski with out bond. The parcel’s form and the way in which it fell appeared per one thing that may maintain a human physique, they stated.
A police cadaver canine additionally indicated a physique had been within the Dumpster, in line with courtroom paperwork filed Friday.
Trash from the route is often hauled to a Collier County landfill, however authorities who searched the property for Cozzi’s physique stated the ability routinely compacts its trash, “making restoration efforts practically unattainable.”
The brand new particulars emerged in courtroom filings forward of a July 17 listening to through which Kosowski’s attorneys plan to hunt his launch on bail. In Florida, anybody accused of first-degree homicide is mostly jailed till trial except the protection can present a compelling cause they should not be.
Prosecutors are in search of the loss of life penalty.
Kosowski, 44, has pleaded not responsible. A graduate of Dartmouth Faculty medical college, he has specialised in reconstructive breast surgical procedure for eight years, in line with papers filed by his attorneys. On social media, he has posted primarily about his occupation.
One pal who did not wish to be recognized advised CBS affiliate WTSP-TV that Kosowski is not a typical Ivy League graduate. That pal stated the physician is “self-made” and got here to america with nothing.
The physician’s attorneys contend the prosecution’s case is flimsy, that Kosowski poses no risk and that their consumer is not going to attempt to evade justice. If launched, Kosowski, who goes by “Dr. Ok,” plans to remain at his multimillion-dollar waterfront dwelling in Tarpon Springs.
The brand new courtroom paperwork element prosecutors’ proof in opposition to Kosowski, together with Cozzi’s blood and DNA discovered within the regulation workplace toilet and within the storage at Kosowski’s dwelling, the place it was combined with the physician’s DNA. As well as, authorities say Kosowski purchased the Toyota truck with money weeks earlier than Cozzi’s slaying and by no means registered the car, which had a license plate flipping machine that allowed tags to be substituted with the contact of a button. One of many license plates related to it was registered to a useless particular person.
When Kosowski was arrested March 25, investigators stated he had $280,000 in money, masks, duct tape, firearms, a ballistic vest with “EMS” written on it, regulation enforcement patches and a vial of succinylcholine, which is a paralyzing drug. A search of his dwelling turned up about 200 weapons, in line with courtroom paperwork.
Cozzi, in the meantime, seemingly disappeared with no hint. His keys, pockets and cellphone remained on his regulation workplace desk and a piece file was open on his laptop. His husband by no means heard from him.
The lacking lawyer represented a Dunedin, Florida-based medical follow that Kosowski alleged shorted him 1000’s of {dollars} in billings and broken his popularity as a health care provider.
“Dr. Ok’s promising younger profession has primarily been obliterated” by the girl’s actions, Kosowski’s lawsuit says. “Via no fault of his personal, his profession was put instantly in jeopardy and his popularity has been deeply tarnished.”
The dispute obtained so heated that Kosowski tried to get Cozzi faraway from the case and at one level allegedly referred to as Cozzi a “scumbag” throughout an encounter in the identical regulation workplace toilet the place prosecutors say the lawyer was slain.
Cozzi’s husband, Michael Montgomery, posted a message final month saying he launched Cozzi’s remaining reminiscence ashes into the wind.
“My coronary heart’s damaged, it is being held collectively by tape,” Montgomery stated in March at a vigil for Cozzi.
[ad_2]
Source link