Still Missing FL - Steven Cozzi, lawyer, Largo, 21 March 2023 *plastic surgeon arrested*

[Nila Aella]

When will Pinellas doctor accused of killing attorney finally head to trial?

Tomasz Kosowski represented himself again Wednesday after his lawyers withdrew.

www.tampabay.com

When will Pinellas doctor accused of killing attorney finally head to trial?

A Pinellas plastic surgeon accused of murdering an attorney still didn’t have a lawyer on Wednesday just five days before his trial was scheduled to begin. Tomasz Kosowski was set to stand trial in the slaying of Largo attorney Steven Cozzi starting on Monday. But after his lawyers withdrew...

www.yahoo.com

May 14, 2025
[...]
Bulone told Kosowski he needs to have a lawyer present for his next hearing May 28.

“We’re not going to go on forever like this,” he said. “If you’re not making a good faith effort, then I’ll appoint one for you.”
[...]
Pinellas Assistant State Attorney Nathan Vonderheide said he plans to call 56 state witnesses over six weeks of trial. A new trial date has not been scheduled.

Kosowski said Wednesday he had met with two lawyers in the last week, but did not want to hire either of them.

Vonderheide said Kosowski has logged 229 hours on jail computers, which he argued was ample time to review discovery if Kosowski decides represent himself.

“Dr. Kososwki is a very smart man. He has an MBA and a medical degree from Dartmouth. His writing reflects that. It’s very articulate. It’s better than some lawyers that I’ve litigated against,” Vonderheide said. “I think the next stage of the inquiry is whether he’s ready to represent himself for trial.”
[...]

TY @SeesSeas !

From the linked article:
Later on the day that Cozzi went missing, Kosowski’s red Toyota Corolla was picked up on license plate readers in the Miami area. When Kosowski was arrested in Tarpon Springs a few days later, police found a bloodied ballistic vest, duct tape, a paralyzing agent, syringes with sedatives, brass knuckles, a Taser and nearly $300,000 in cash, records state. Cozzi’s DNA was also found in the Corolla’s trunk.

JMO

 

[SeesSeas]

'Killer' Doctor Represents Himself as Lawyers Withdraw from Case​

May 14, 2025
Dr. Tomasz Kosowski represented himself again in court on Wednesday after his lawyers withdrew from his murder case for "ethical reasons." Kosowski told the court that he is still searching for a lawyer and does not want to represent himself at his murder trial. His trial was expected to start next week. He is accused of killing an attorney in 2023.

 

[SeesSeas]

STATE OF FLORIDA vs. KOSOWSKI, TOMASZ ROMAN

hpc.pinellasclerk.org

23-02935-CF : STATE OF FLORIDA vs. KOSOWSKI, TOMASZ ROMAN

Pinellas County Clerk of Courts Records Inquiry

06/25/2025	8:30 AM	PRE-TRIAL	BULONE, JOSEPH A	CJC COURTROOM 9

Pinellas doctor accused of killing attorney to get court-appointed lawyer

Tomasz Kosowski told a judge Wednesday he hadn’t found a new lawyer and doesn’t have money to pay one.

www.tampabay.com

May 28, 2025
A Pinellas plastic surgeon who could face the death penalty if convicted of the murder of a Largo attorney will likely wind up with a court-appointed lawyer to defend him at trial.
[...]
Bulone asked Kosowski if he wanted to represent himself or appoint a public defender. Kosowski said he does not want to represent himself.

A moment later, Bulone appointed the Pinellas-Pasco Public Defender’s Office to represent Kosowski, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Steven Cozzi. A representative from that office told Bulone there is likely a conflict that will preclude the office from representing Kosowski but did not elaborate.

If so, Bulone said, Kosowski will likely end up with an attorney selected from a list of defense lawyers who are willing and qualified to take death penalty cases in Florida.

Court-appointed attorneys in death penalty cases in Florida are typically selected from a Capital Collateral Registry maintained by the Justice Administrative Commission. These attorneys must meet specific qualifications and experience requirements outlined by state law and rules of criminal procedure.

Bulone set another status hearing for June 25.
[...]

 

[SeesSeas]

Brief video at link:

https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/plastic-surgeon-charged-with-murder-still-does-not-have-legal-representation/

May 28, 2025
[...]
“If we reset this for a couple of weeks, what efforts are you going to make to hire a lawyer?” the judge asked.

“Nothing new, sir,” Kosowski responded.

“You’re not going to do anything in the next two weeks?” the judge said.

“What can I? I mean, it’s my mother that’s doing all the work,” Kosowski responded.
[...]

 

[PayrollNerd]

He’s so lame….no shame.…mommy’s boy.

 

[SeesSeas]

REGIONAL COUNSEL APPOINTED

STATE OF FLORIDA vs. KOSOWSKI, TOMASZ ROMAN

hpc.pinellasclerk.org

Pinellas County Clerk of Courts Records Inquiry

23-02935-CF : STATE OF FLORIDA vs. KOSOWSKI, TOMASZ ROMAN

5/28/2025	MOTION TO WITHDRAW PD	MOTION TO WITHDRAW PD (1)
5/28/2025	WRITTEN PLEA NOT GUILTY BY ATTORNEY AND RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO CHALLENGE GRAND JURY INDICTMENT	WRITTEN PLEA NOT GUILTY BY ATTORNEY (1)
5/28/2025	DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY	DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY (1)
5/28/2025	NOTICE OF APPEARANCE CHRISTOPHER BOLDT	NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (1)
5/28/2025	NOTICE OF APPEARANCE ANDREW CRAWFORD	NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (1)
5/28/2025	DEMAND AND REQUEST FOR COPY OF INFORMATION	No Document
5/28/2025	WRITTEN PLEA NOT GUILTY BY ATTORNEY	No Document
5/28/2025	DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY	No Document
5/28/2025	REGIONAL COUNSEL APPOINTED	No Document
5/28/2025	ORDER TO WITHDRAW PD DUE TO CONFLICT	ORDER TO WITHDRAW PD DUE TO CONFLICT (1)
5/28/2025	PRE-TRIAL HEARING SET BRING	No Document
5/28/2025	PD APPOINTED WRITTEN PLEA NG BY PD & DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY PROVISIONAL	No Document

 

[PayrollNerd]

https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/pinellas-plastic-surgeon-may-be-left-without-lawyer-again-in-death-penalty-case/

In a motion filed last week, the Office of the Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel asked to withdraw from the case due to a conflict of interest. Regional Counsel previously represented a person who was listed as a witness by the prosecution.

 

[SeesSeas]

Court appointed attorney TANIA ALAVI.

STATE OF FLORIDA vs. KOSOWSKI, TOMASZ ROMAN

hpc.pinellasclerk.org

Pinellas County Clerk of Courts Records Inquiry

23-02935-CF : STATE OF FLORIDA vs. KOSOWSKI, TOMASZ ROMAN

6/10/2025	ORDER GRANTING RC MTN WITHDRAW/APPT CONFLICT FREE COUNSEL	ORDER GRANTING RC MTN WITHDRAW/APPT CONFLICT FREE COUNSEL (1)
6/5/2025	MOTION TO WITHDRAW DUE TO CONFLICT OF INTEREST	MOTION TO WITHDRAW (1)

https://hpc.pinellasclerk.org/CaseData/23-02935-CF/95652948.pdf

[...]
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows:
1. TANIA ALAVI, ESQUIRE is appointed as attorney for Defendant, Tomasz Kosowski, pursuant to the
Registry list maintained by the Clerk of Court. The contact information for this attorney is as follows:
Address: Alavi & Pozzuto, P.A.
101 E Silver Springs Blvd Ste 207
Ocala, FL 34470-6621
[...]

Criminal Lawyer Tania Alavi | Criminal Defense Ocala & Gainesville

Criminal Lawyer Tania Alavi is a compassionate advocate, a savvy negotiator and a seasoned trial attorney. If you’ve been investigated or arrested for a Florida Crime or Federal Crime in the Ocala or Gainesville area, call to get immediate help building a defense strategy in your case.

theaplawgroup.com

CRIMINAL LAWYER TANIA ALAVI
[...]
Tania is certified to represent individuals charged with Death Penalty crimes and has years of experience helping clients with mental health concerns. She has defended people from all walks of life, including indigent people, working folks and successful professionals.
[...]
Tania is the author of “The Power of a Parent” published in the FACDL Florida Defender Magazine.

Article: "The Power of a Parent" by Tania Alavi | Alavi & Pozzuto

"The Power of a Parent" by Criminal Defense Lawyer Tania Alavi. Published in Florida Defender, Winter 2018. A Criminal Defense Attorney with death penalty trial experience examines the significance of nurturing children. Tania's focus is Criminal Defense, Federal Crimes and Family Law. Offices...

theaplawgroup.com

[...]