Silver Alert CT - Jennifer Dulos, 50, New Canaan, 24 May 2019 #15 *ARRESTS*

[oceancalling]

It's more common with people with money to drag these things out. Because other people can't afford to do as much aggressive litigation.

It is not true at all, however, that he wasn't punished by the system. I keep seeing this statement that he was somehow getting away with something. But I think sometimes people's personal experiences and dissatisfaction with the system has colored how they view this case.

Because despite all his riches, custody was basically taken from him and he was reduced to what was basically almost the most restrictive custody and visitation plan available. First all contact with his kids was suspended and then it was super limited and monitored by a therapist. There were additional serious conditions imposed.

I have explained over and over that this is very rare and very punitive. This is reserved for the worst parents OR the ones with the most serious issues like drug issues or mental health breaks.

What we have to understand is that for Jennifer, custody of her kids likely was he issue that had the highest priority in her divorce. The court would treat it the same way. So discovery battles (about disclosing evidence upon demand) would take longer while the parties focused on child custody.

Finally, as I have explained several times, the court system doesn't have as much money as it needs to run super smoothly. So the court calendars are typically super impacted. That creates delays. And an aggressive litigator with enough money can take advantage of that.

These points are why FD had not had to face the music when it came to disclosing his financial information, sooner. But he was at that point when it was coming to a head and that's when Jennifer disappeared. Conveniently.

Corruption and pay offs did not occur here. Not close. It does frustrate me that the family law court system continually gets blamed on Jennifer's threads. I can attest, as a family law attorney, that there is zero basis for it.

If there was corruption his kids never would have been taken from him. Clearly he considers them his property and I believe he killed Jennifer in large part because he was not going to allow the court or his wife tell him when he could be with his kids. I think he feels that's his right. That they are his and he is the only one who should be able to dictate who they see and when.

100% agree. There is absolutely no evidence that Judge Heller acted improperly or otherwise allowed FD to "get away" with misbehavior. If anything, she clearly saw through his BS and responded accordingly. Yes, FD was highly manipulative and did everything possible to avoid disclosing required financial information. Unfortunately, that's a fairly common practice by well-funded litigants in all civil cases; this tactic is not exclusive to family court.

As others here have pointed out, though, FD's stalling tactics were coming to an end. He was being backed into a corner and I feel certain Judge Heller was NOT going to let him weasel out of that corner. Unfortunately, we now know what FD's response was to his fear/anger that he was going to have to disclose evidence of his fraudulent activities, including money laundering.(JMO). But again, I see zero evidence that a "corrupt" system was assisting FD in his scheme.

I do question the GAL's premature, and from all indications unauthorized, release of that last report. I also wonder what JD's lawyer discovered that resulted in an expert witness leaving the stand during the last hearing and his subsequent refusal to return for what was certain to be further devastating cross-examination. It seems clear JD's lawyer was in possession of information that was going to be extremely damaging to that expert's testimony and credibility. It will be interesting to see what that information was. The GAL and the supposed expert witness may well have stepped outside the bounds of their assigned responsibilities. If either of them actually committed misconduct in the way they conducted themselves, their reputations are now toast.

Still, I feel quite certain these issues would have been resolved by the presiding judge had they been brought to her attention. If now revealed, they most certainly WILL be addressed by whoever is in charge of judicial administration in that courthouse. Still, those seeming missteps are no reflection of the family law judge and are not evidence she (or the system) was corrupt. From the court record, it appears JD was extremely well represented by very experienced counsel, who did a fantastic job of exposing FD's true nature. I believe FD's frustration at NOT being able to manipulate the judicial system may well have been at least part of the reason he began planning this murder.

 

[oceancalling]

I think that could be so. Getting it out would be harder than getting it in due, logically IMO, to gravity, physics, and not wanting to leave evidence behind. I think probably the body was in pieces, right from the garage partially at least, to make it easier to move and hide. So the banging might have been related to vacuum-pumping or—finally I remember what has been bugging me so long!—a large air compressor! Large air compressors used in shops and garages (by ordinary mechanics and farmers—and construction people) make this loud banging kind of noise when they kick on and off to bring the pressure or whatever up. I live in the country and have a good-sized compressor out in my barn and when I first brought home my rescued bulldogs, I remember them barking or getting agitated when they first heard it go off. Guests look up, too. Compressors like that can be used to help do many things. Generators seem to make a more even noise but they can be used to power pumps, etc. MOO.

Excellent observation! I had never considered an air compressor, which can serve a multitude of functions.

 

[afitzy]

Not sure how the water supply shapes up in NC but FD being a contractor building new houses on properties where the old dwelling was razed ... perhaps he had to dig new wells of the old ones weren’t sufficient enough to pump as many GPM as need for his McMansions ... so if there are abandoned wells on his properties he’d know where they were .

This is an excellent point I think. Sturbridge had a prior structure. I was trying to figure out from google whether the old structure was razed and I think it was. But if others could look and give a POV it would be appreciated.

Many of the houses from the 60/70s era were much smaller and are typically razed to build larger houses with higher ceilings. Some of the google pictures are hard to figure out IMO as I am unclear if any portion of prior foundation were used or if an entirely new foundation was poured and dug after prior house was razed.

The tax record that I saw with the Town that was posted earlier in thread and on prior thread seemed to be of the prior structure so I was confused. Any thoughts?

 

[Caroline Lago]

This is an excellent point I think. Sturbridge had a prior structure. I was trying to figure out from google whether the old structure was razed and I think it was. But if others could look and give a POV it would be appreciated.

Many of the houses from the 60/70s era were much smaller and are typically razed to build larger houses with higher ceilings. Some of the google pictures are hard to figure out IMO as I am unclear if any portion of prior foundation were used or if an entirely new foundation was poured and dug after prior house was razed.

The tax record that I saw with the Town that was posted earlier in thread and on prior thread seemed to be of the prior structure so I was confused. Any thoughts?

It definitely appears that the prior home was totally razed with a new foundation which is the norm with new construction here in Fairfield County. Because FD's house is larger, it would likely require a stronger, better yielding water pump inside the existing well...sometimes a well can be dug deeper to yield more water, but I don't think a new well would have been necessary.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Welcome to New Canaan, CT
Can I get a copy of the sketch of the location of my well and/or septic system?

Yes. Health department files are always available for viewing on the public computers located outside the Land Use offices in the hallway. Or you can request the file during the hours open to the public.

 

[dlharris2712]

I think he either hit poor JD over the head with a blunt object or slammed her head into the hard cement floor and that's when he really went nuts. Something caused blood splatter, so there was a force of some sort. The two New Canaan properties do not have pools. A mower or trash compactor could show too much blood evidence. There are so many questions...what was the reasoning behind the extensive search of the upstate dump?! Was it simply because he disposed of the 30 bags on Albany st.?

I follow a couple of "crime scene clean up" accounts on Instagram and a couple of forensic/pathology accounts. Hitting her in the head with a blunt object; would cause blood spatter all over...not to mention the blood that would continue to flow after he hit her (it pains and saddens me to type this). My vote is for blunt force trauma. jmo

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Not sure how the water supply shapes up in NC but FD being a contractor building new houses on properties where the old dwelling was razed ... perhaps he had to dig new wells of the old ones weren’t sufficient enough to pump as many GPM as need for his McMansions ... so if there are abandoned wells on his properties he’d know where they were .

Building permits typically require a site assessment be made on properties with wells and most states require a licensed well driller to decommission a well. Even if FD had access to an abandoned well I highly doubt it was not decommissioned. In addition to that, drilled wells have casing that's only 6 to 12 inches in diameter.

 

[gitana1]

100% agree. There is absolutely no evidence that Judge Heller acted improperly or otherwise allowed FD to "get away" with misbehavior. If anything, she clearly saw through his BS and responded accordingly. Yes, FD was highly manipulative and did everything possible to avoid disclosing required financial information. Unfortunately, that's a fairly common practice by well-funded litigants in all civil cases; this tactic is not exclusive to family court.

As others here have pointed out, though, FD's stalling tactics were coming to an end. He was being backed into a corner and I feel certain Judge Heller was NOT going to let him weasel out of that corner. Unfortunately, we now know what FD's response was to his fear/anger that he was going to have to disclose evidence of his fraudulent activities, including money laundering.(JMO). But again, I see zero evidence that a "corrupt" system was assisting FD in his scheme.

I do question the GAL's premature, and from all indications unauthorized, release of that last report. I also wonder what JD's lawyer discovered that resulted in an expert witness leaving the stand during the last hearing and his subsequent refusal to return for what was certain to be further devastating cross-examination. It seems clear JD's lawyer was in possession of information that was going to be extremely damaging to that expert's testimony and credibility. It will be interesting to see what that information was. The GAL and the supposed expert witness may well have stepped outside the bounds of their assigned responsibilities. If either of them actually committed misconduct in the way they conducted themselves, their reputations are now toast.

Still, I feel quite certain these issues would have been resolved by the presiding judge had they been brought to her attention. If now revealed, they most certainly WILL be addressed by whoever is in charge of judicial administration in that courthouse. Still, those seeming missteps are no reflection of the family law judge and are not evidence she (or the system) was corrupt. From the court record, it appears JD was extremely well represented by very experienced counsel, who did a fantastic job of exposing FD's true nature. I believe FD's frustration at NOT being able to manipulate the judicial system may well have been at least part of the reason he began planning this murder.

Better said than I could do.

 

[sleuth66]

It definitely appears that the prior home was totally razed with a new foundation which is the norm with new construction here in Fairfield County. Because FD's house is larger, it would likely require a stronger, better yielding water pump inside the existing well...sometimes a well can be dug deeper to yield more water, but I don't think a new well would have been necessary.

Fore Group purchased 61 Sturbridge Hill on 7/18/17.
Demolition permit was issued 11/02/2017.
Building permit for new structure issued 4/03/2018.
Permit diagram of new home includes 270 ft2 unfinished basement. This suggests a new foundation, it would be very surprising in this market and scale of new construction to use an existing foundation.

 

[Jmoose]

Should the septic tanks be checked as one more place to check off the list?

It wouldn’t surprise me at all to find out that LE has already checked the various septic systems associated with FD (or JD).

 

[Southernsnooper]

I honestly don't think he ever meant there to be the bloody mess. I think he expected to go in and kill her cleanly and have her body disposed of by someone else. He did not intend to know where she is.
But her blood hit the floor and from that point on he had to improvise and, being the planner he is, he could not pull it off.
I think the beginning of his plan happened and the end (disposal of her body) happened according to plan and everything in between was his panicked response and attempt to deflect away from himself and he failed.

JD’s

 

[Southernsnooper]

New article:

Jennifer Farber Dulos has been missing for two months. Here’s what we know, and what we don’t, about the search for the mother of five.

 

[Jmoose]

I don't believe there are mandatory septic pumping schedules as its a function of system size and number of people in house.

Each homeowner sets their own schedule based on system usage. Most houses are pumped out annually. Some houses with smaller systems might get pumped every 6 months but this is unusual. Its unusual to switch pumping companies IME and so most people just set a schedule and the pumping companies follow the schedule. I don't know how many pumping companies are in Fairfield County but I don't believe it be a huge number (find it hard to believe there are more than 40 or so companies in the county). In general though there are a few companies that you see over and over in your area. In NC the local company that has been in business for years is Palladino and its used by many in town.

Here in Westchester we have to do it at least every two years, but I think that has to do with the proximity to reservoirs which provide drinking water to NYC. Doesn’t seem right that we have to pay to do something which doesn’t really benefit us. W’chester County doesn’t care what your tank size to house ratio is, and the pumping company reports the event to the county. Still, while it appears possible that he could have put her in one of the septic tanks to which he had access, I don’t necessarily think that is what he did with her.

 

[sds71]

Fotis Dulos’ attorney files motion to dismiss charges
Motion 11 pages
Dulos -

 

[NCmom99]

Good to know! Thank you!!! One possibility off the list! I’ll go delete my post text!

Some homes have sewers (those more in town) but many of the more remote properties do not.

 

[sds71]

From FD s motion to dismiss
Marissa Alter (@MarissaAlter) on Twitter

 

[Tippy Lynn]

I'm don't especially think FD placed JD in a septic tank, but for those who are exploring that idea. Here's a link to a list of the licensed septic trucks in New Canaan.

https://www.newcanaan.info/Applications and Forms/Health/LICENSED SEPTIC TRUCKS 2019.pdf

 

[sds71]

Here’s the motion to dismiss the criminal case if you don’t have Scribd

 

[NCmom99]

It's more common with people with money to drag these things out. Because other people can't afford to do as much aggressive litigation.

It is not true at all, however, that he wasn't punished by the system. I keep seeing this statement that he was somehow getting away with something. But I think sometimes people's personal experiences and dissatisfaction with the system has colored how they view this case.

Because despite all his riches, custody was basically taken from him and he was reduced to what was basically almost the most restrictive custody and visitation plan available. First all contact with his kids was suspended and then it was super limited and monitored by a therapist. There were additional serious conditions imposed.

I have explained over and over that this is very rare and very punitive. This is reserved for the worst parents OR the ones with the most serious issues like drug issues or mental health breaks.

What we have to understand is that for Jennifer, custody of her kids likely was he issue that had the highest priority in her divorce. The court would treat it the same way. So discovery battles (about disclosing evidence upon demand) would take longer while the parties focused on child custody.

Finally, as I have explained several times, the court system doesn't have as much money as it needs to run super smoothly. So the court calendars are typically super impacted. That creates delays. And an aggressive litigator with enough money can take advantage of that.

These points are why FD had not had to face the music when it came to disclosing his financial information, sooner. But he was at that point when it was coming to a head and that's when Jennifer disappeared. Conveniently.

Corruption and pay offs did not occur here. Not close. It does frustrate me that the family law court system continually gets blamed on Jennifer's threads. I can attest, as a family law attorney, that there is zero basis for it.

If there was corruption his kids never would have been taken from him. Clearly he considers them his property and I believe he killed Jennifer in large part because he was not going to allow the court or his wife tell him when he could be with his kids. I think he feels that's his right. That they are his and he is the only one who should be able to dictate who they see and when.

This all makes sense IMO. Thank you for continuing to weigh in!

 

[NCmom99]

It just occurred to me that in a lot of places now, periodic septic pumping is mandatory-like every two years; whichever company pumps the tank would be responsible for reporting it to the county, I think. I wonder if Fairfield County has this regulation? Then they’d just have to check with the county, and not all of the various septic pumping companies. I am not sure, however, if this would have any bearing on any septic tanks that FD would have access to, in the time since May 24th. Since most houses associated with him are empty, there’d likely to have been no pumping.

I do not believe there is anything mandatory. I live in New Canaan and have never heard of this; in fact my own tank is probably overdue.