Florida Plastic Surgeon Found Guilty of Murdering Attorney

A Florida judge has found plastic surgeon Tomasz Kosowski guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of attorney Steven Cozzi. Cozzi's body was never recovered. Kosowski, 47, represented himself at trial before Judge Joseph Bulone and waived his right to a jury.

Kosowski now faces the possibility of life in prison without parole or the death penalty. He will return to court for the penalty phase of the trial on October 8 for a Spencer hearing, where he can present mitigating factors before sentencing.

Prosecutors presented six days of testimony, alleging that Kosowski had become obsessed with Cozzi due to a dispute over payments for medical procedures. They claimed Kosowski threatened Cozzi and stalked him before orchestrating his murder in March 2023. According to the prosecution, Kosowski secretly entered Cozzi's law office, attacked him in a restroom, and then transported him in a wagon. Surveillance video showed a man loading a wagon into a vehicle and driving to Kosowski's home. Prosecutors stated that Kosowski then transferred Cozzi to another vehicle and drove towards the Everglades. DNA evidence matching Cozzi was later found in Kosowski's garage. Cellphone data indicated Kosowski made a stop at a dumpster in a remote area, where he allegedly disposed of Cozzi's body.

Searchers combed through a local landfill for days but were unable to recover Cozzi's remains. Police arrested Kosowski in March 2023.

Throughout the trial, Kosowski presented a calm demeanor, rarely cross-examining witnesses but questioning the evidence related to DNA, cellphone pings, and the physical feasibility of the prosecution's timeline. In his closing arguments, Kosowski argued that the events described by the state were physically impossible and illogical in terms of timing. Despite his defense, Judge Bulone found Kosowski guilty of first-degree murder.

The trial began more than three years after Cozzi disappeared.