Florida plastic surgeon Tomasz Kosowski is representing himself in a first-degree murder trial over the disappearance and alleged killing of attorney Steven Cozzi. Prosecutors say Cozzi was killed at his law office on March 21, 2023, and that his body was transported in a covered cart before being discarded near the Everglades. No body has been recovered. Kosowski, 47, has pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a jury, leaving Judge Joseph Bulone to decide the case.
The trial began September 14 in Pinellas County. Testimony has addressed a civil litigation dispute, surveillance footage, blood and DNA evidence, and the alleged disposal route. Kosowski initially remained mostly silent but began cross-examining prosecution witnesses during the fourth day of proceedings.
| 1) | The trial and Kosowski’s decision to represent himself |
|---|---|
| 2) | The legal dispute involving Cozzi and Kosowski |
| 3) | Evidence from the office and vehicles |
| 4) | The alleged transport and disposal of the body |
| 5) | Kosowski’s courtroom defense and next steps |
The trial and Kosowski’s decision to represent himself
Kosowski faces a first-degree murder charge in Pinellas County, Florida, which could carry the death penalty. He was arrested in March 2023 after Cozzi disappeared from the law office where he worked. Kosowski has remained jailed and maintains that he is innocent.
A written not-guilty plea filed in July 2025 requested a jury trial. On August 31, more than a year later, Kosowski changed course and requested a bench trial. The proceedings are scheduled to resume September 22, with Bulone deciding the verdict and any sentence.
The legal dispute involving Cozzi and Kosowski
The men became connected through civil litigation that began in 2019. Cozzi helped represent corporate defendants in a lawsuit involving money Kosowski allegedly said he was owed for work connected to personal injury cases. Court records describe Kosowski as increasingly hostile toward Cozzi.
Prosecutors say Kosowski blamed Cozzi for difficulties in the case and sought to have him removed as opposing counsel. Jake Pillsbury, an attorney who worked with Cozzi, testified that Kosowski made unwarranted accusations and once called Cozzi a scumbag during a confrontation in a restroom at a deposition. Cozzi’s husband, Michael Montgomery, told investigators that people close to Cozzi became concerned about his safety and discussed security arrangements.
Evidence collected from the office and vehicles
On March 21, 2023, Cozzi was scheduled for a 10 a.m. teleconference. He left his phone, keys and wallet at his desk before entering a restroom and never appeared. His employer later found blood spattered inside.
Prosecutors say surveillance video shows a man arriving around 8:30 a.m. in a silver Toyota Tundra with a box large enough to conceal a human body. The person allegedly left at 10:22 a.m. pulling a wagon covered by a reddish-orange blanket. Investigators identified Kosowski as the suspect.
A search of Kosowski’s home and vehicles two days later found blood in the Tundra and garage. Court records say Cozzi’s DNA was identified in the truck and on the garage floor. Investigators also found a bloodied ballistic vest, cash, passports, phones, industrial garbage bags and a duffel bag containing a Taser, masks, a crowbar and a vial of succinylcholine linked to Kosowski’s medical office.
The alleged transport and disposal of the body
Prosecutors allege that Kosowski drove from the office to his home in Tarpon Springs and later traveled toward a second home in Miami. Cellphone records placed him near a dumpster on a dirt road in South Florida near the Everglades on the day Cozzi vanished and again two days later.
A human-detection dog alerted at the dumpster, but investigators found no remains. The garbage went to a landfill, where officers searched more than a week after delivery, by which time over 6,000 tons of compacted waste covered the site. The search did not recover Cozzi’s body. Prosecutors also showed garbage-truck footage of black industrial bags falling into the vehicle and alleged the bags were consistent with a human body. The driver described an unusually strong odor.
Kosowski’s courtroom defense and next steps
Kosowski later cross-examined prosecution witnesses and challenged evidence obtained from his body, vehicles and residence. His motions to suppress that evidence were denied. On September 18, he asked the judge to strike testimony from a DNA expert, arguing that the numerical findings had not been adequately interpreted. Bulone denied the request but allowed Kosowski to contest the DNA evidence in closing arguments.
Prosecutors have also presented video recorded after Kosowski’s arrest that they say shows him attempting to remove possible DNA from his fingers before investigators collected samples. The defense position remains that Kosowski is not guilty. The prosecution is expected to complete its presentation before remaining evidence and closing arguments.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kosowski faces a first-degree murder charge and is representing himself. |
| 2 | Cozzi disappeared from his law office on March 21, 2023. |
| 3 | Investigators found blood and DNA evidence in Kosowski’s truck and garage. |
| 4 | Cozzi’s body has not been recovered despite a landfill search. |
| 5 | The trial is scheduled to resume September 22 before Judge Joseph Bulone. |
Summary
The prosecution’s case relies on the alleged civil-dispute motive, surveillance footage, forensic evidence and testimony about a suspected disposal route. Kosowski denies the accusation and is challenging the state’s evidence. Because no remains have been found, the court must determine whether the combined evidence proves the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is on trial?
Tomasz Kosowski, a 47-year-old Florida plastic surgeon, is charged with first-degree murder in Steven Cozzi’s disappearance and alleged killing.
What happened to Steven Cozzi?
Cozzi disappeared from his law office on March 21, 2023. Prosecutors allege he was killed there and placed in garbage, but his remains have not been recovered.
Who will decide the verdict?
Judge Joseph Bulone will decide the case because Kosowski waived his right to a jury trial.
When will the trial continue?
The trial is scheduled to resume on September 22.
