Florida Surgeon Defends Himself in Murder Trial for Attorney's Death

A Florida plastic surgeon is representing himself in a murder trial, accused of killing an attorney with whom he had a legal dispute. Dr. Tomasz Kosowski, 47, faces a first-degree murder charge in the disappearance and death of attorney Steven Cozzi.

Kosowski was arrested in March 2023 in connection with Cozzi's disappearance. He has maintained his innocence and waived his right to a jury trial, leaving the decision of his guilt or innocence to the presiding judge in Pinellas County.

The two men's professional relationship soured during a civil lawsuit initiated in 2019. The case involved money allegedly owed to Kosowski for work performed related to personal injury cases, with Cozzi representing the corporate clients Kosowski was suing. Court records indicate Kosowski developed a hostile attitude towards Cozzi, blaming him for issues in the case and demanding his removal as defense counsel.

Cozi's husband, Michael Montgomery, had reportedly suggested arranging for security if Cozzi had to meet with Kosowski again. During a deposition, Kosowski allegedly approached Cozzi in a restroom and made aggressive remarks, according to court records.

Discovery of Evidence

On March 21, 2023, the day Cozzi disappeared, both he and Kosowski were scheduled for a teleconference hearing. Cozzi left his belongings on his desk and went to the office restroom approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting and never returned.

Cozzi's boss discovered blood spatter in the restroom. Security footage from that day shows a silver Toyota Tundra arriving at the building around 8:30 a.m., which prosecutors allege belonged to Kosowski. A man, identified by prosecutors as Kosowski, was seen entering the building carrying a box large enough to conceal a human body. Later, the same individual was seen exiting with a covered wagon, struggling with its weight as he moved it to the truck.

Surveillance footage pieced together from multiple cameras showed the Tundra traveling to Kosowski's home in Tarpon Springs, Florida. A Flock camera captured an image of a red bag or blanket in a cart within the truck bed that appeared to contain a human body.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Kosowski's home two days later and found blood in the truck bed, on the driver's side headrest and floorboard, and on the garage floor. DNA matching Cozzi was found in the Tundra and on the garage floor.

During the search of Kosowski's vehicles, authorities discovered a ballistic vest with a significant amount of blood, a burner phone, a medical first responder vest, sheriff's office patches, a gas can, approximately $282,000 in cash, two passports, and industrial-sized garbage bags. A black duffel bag, described by prosecutors as a "murder bag," contained lighters, a Taser, scissors, brass knuckles, a crowbar, ski masks, a Guy Fawkes mask, a syringe, a needle, and a vial of succinylcholine, a paralytic drug. The vial was labeled in a manner connecting it to Kosowski's plastic surgery office in Miami.

Alleged Premeditation and Body Disposal

Prosecutors allege Kosowski planned the killing in advance. More than a month before Cozzi's disappearance, Kosowski allegedly visited Cozzi's home and photographed a car. He also made multiple visits to the Blanchard Law Firm, where Cozzi worked, driving around the building and taking photos. In early March 2023, Kosowski reportedly searched online for information about Cozzi and Montgomery, including their wedding and addresses.

An employee of the building that housed the law firm reported finding a man in a mask hiding in an office utility closet a week before Cozzi's disappearance. The man, who claimed to be there due to a power outage, left in a grey Toyota Tundra, matching the description of Kosowski's vehicle. Fingerprints matching Kosowski's were later found in the closet.

On the day of Cozzi's disappearance, Kosowski's cellphone was tracked traveling toward his second home in Miami. He allegedly stopped near a dumpster in South Florida. Records indicate he returned to the dumpster two days later, leading investigators to suspect he was checking if it had been emptied. A K-9 unit alerted on the dumpster, indicating the presence of human remains, but no body was recovered.

Investigators interviewed the garbage truck driver who collected the dumpster's contents. The driver described an overwhelming, vile odor. Surveillance footage from the garbage truck showed black industrial-sized garbage bags, consistent with those found in Kosowski's car, falling into the truck. Prosecutors believe these bags contained Cozzi's body.

Law enforcement officers searched the landfill where the garbage truck dumped its load, but by then, over 6,000 tons of compacted garbage had been piled on top. Despite the challenges, officers sifted through the landfill for days in an attempt to recover Cozzi's body.

Trial Proceedings

Kosowski initially requested a jury trial but later changed his mind and opted for a judge to decide his fate. His trial began on September 14. During the initial days of the trial, Kosowski remained largely quiet, taking notes and giving brief responses. He later began cross-examining prosecution witnesses and objected to the introduction of evidence obtained from his body, his vehicle, and his residence, though his motions to suppress this evidence were denied.

On the fifth day of the trial, Kosowski challenged the testimony of a DNA expert, arguing the witness did not provide sufficient interpretation of the data. The judge denied the motion but allowed Kosowski to address the DNA findings in his closing arguments. The trial was set to resume on September 22.