A Florida judge found plastic surgeon Tomasz Kosowski guilty of first-degree murder in the disappearance of attorney Steven Cozzi. Prosecutors said Kosowski attacked Cozzi at a law office in March 2023 after a prolonged dispute over payment for medical procedures. Although Cozzi’s body was never recovered, prosecutors presented blood, DNA, surveillance and cellphone evidence during the trial. Kosowski represented himself and now faces either life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
The verdict followed six days of testimony and came after a bench trial chosen by Kosowski instead of a jury trial. Judge Joseph Bulone delivered the verdict on Wednesday, with Kosowski showing little visible reaction. The case will now proceed to a penalty phase.
| 1) | The verdict and possible penalties |
| 2) | The alleged attack at the law office |
| 3) | Surveillance, DNA and cellphone evidence |
| 4) | Kosowski’s decision to defend himself |
| 5) | The next stage of the case |
The verdict and possible penalties
Judge Joseph Bulone found Tomasz Kosowski guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday, following a trial that began Sept. 14, more than three years after Steven Cozzi disappeared. Kosowski waived a jury trial and placed the decision in the judge’s hands. He appeared in an orange jail uniform and showed almost no reaction when the verdict was read.
The conviction leaves two possible penalties under consideration: life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. The timing of sentencing was not immediately established. Judge Bulone reminded Kosowski that representing himself could create disadvantages and asked whether he still wanted to handle the penalty phase. Kosowski answered yes.
The alleged attack at the law office
Prosecutors said the case grew out of a yearslong legal dispute involving payments for medical procedures. They argued that Kosowski became fixated on Cozzi, threatened him in a restroom and followed him outside his home. Cozzi’s husband testified that he was concerned about the interactions and suggested arranging security for any future in-person meeting.
In March 2023, Cozzi and Kosowski were scheduled to participate in a teleconference. Prosecutors said Kosowski entered the law firm shortly before the meeting, attacked Cozzi in a bathroom and removed him from the building in a wagon covered by a blanket. Kosowski arrived late for the meeting, while Cozzi did not appear. Colleagues later discovered blood throughout the bathroom, and investigators determined it belonged to Cozzi.
Surveillance, DNA and cellphone evidence
The prosecution presented surveillance footage assembled from license-plate and vehicle-monitoring cameras. According to the evidence, a man pulled a wagon away from the law firm, struggled to place its contents in a vehicle and traveled to Kosowski’s multimillion-dollar home in Tarpon Springs. Prosecutors said Cozzi was then moved to another vehicle before Kosowski drove south toward the Everglades.
Investigators found DNA matching Cozzi in the garage, prosecutors said. Cellphone location data also showed Kosowski stopping in a remote area near a dumpster. Prosecutors and witnesses said Cozzi was placed in the container, whose contents were later transported to a landfill. Searchers spent days examining garbage but could not recover Cozzi’s remains.
Kosowski’s decision to defend himself
Kosowski, 47, represented himself throughout the trial and only occasionally cross-examined witnesses. He challenged the prosecution’s interpretation of the DNA evidence, cellphone data and surveillance recordings. He also questioned whether he had enough time and physical ability to carry out the murder as prosecutors described it.
During closing arguments, Kosowski maintained that the state’s account was not physically or logistically possible.
“Not only is it impossible, physically, to do what the state asserts is required of anybody, let alone me, it makes no sense in time,” Kosowski told the judge.
After Kosowski presented his arguments, the judge briefly paused the proceedings. When court resumed less than 30 minutes later, a statement announced the first-degree murder conviction.
The next stage of the case
Kosowski has been jailed since his arrest in March 2023. The case now moves to a penalty phase, where the court will consider whether to impose life without parole or pursue a death sentence. A Spencer hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8, giving Kosowski an opportunity to present additional evidence or mitigating factors before sentencing.
The missing body remains a central feature of the case, but the prosecution relied on the physical evidence recovered at the office and garage, surveillance information, cellphone location data and testimony about the alleged movements after Cozzi disappeared.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tomasz Kosowski was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Steven Cozzi. |
| 2 | Cozzi’s body was never recovered after the March 2023 disappearance. |
| 3 | Prosecutors relied on blood, DNA, surveillance and cellphone evidence. |
| 4 | Kosowski represented himself in a bench trial before Judge Joseph Bulone. |
| 5 | Sentencing will involve a choice between life without parole and the death penalty. |
Summary
The conviction concluded a case built around the disappearance of attorney Steven Cozzi from a Florida law office. While investigators never recovered his body, prosecutors presented multiple forms of evidence linking Tomasz Kosowski to the alleged attack and subsequent disposal of the remains. The court will next consider the appropriate penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was convicted in the case?
Plastic surgeon Tomasz Kosowski was convicted of first-degree murder in the disappearance and killing of attorney Steven Cozzi.
Was Steven Cozzi’s body recovered?
No. Searchers examined landfill material after prosecutors said Cozzi’s remains had been placed in a dumpster, but his body was not recovered.
What penalties could Kosowski face?
He faces either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. A penalty-phase hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8.
Did Kosowski have a lawyer at trial?
No. Kosowski represented himself, waived a jury trial and allowed Judge Joseph Bulone to decide the verdict.