Tomasz Kosowski, Representing Himself, Rests His Case After Powerful Argument
The murder trial of Dr. Tomasz Kosowski, the 47-year-old former plastic surgeon charged with killing Largo attorney Steven Cozzi in March 2023 and representing himself in a death penalty case before a judge rather than a jury, reached a critical turning point Tuesday when the state rested its case after six days of testimony.
Kosowski declined to testify or call any witnesses. Closing arguments begin Wednesday morning.
The final day of testimony was vintage Kosowski. While cross-examining the lead detective, he walked through prosecutors' theory of how Cozzi's body was moved and asked: "Did I act alone in perpetuation of this crime?"
He noted his surgical experience gave him a comfort level moving 195-pound patients. He then challenged a forensic technician about the size of the large trash bags prosecutors allege were used, and asked if the prosecutor himself could "step into the trash bag." The judge ended the exchange. Prosecutor Nathan Vonderheide shot back: "Maybe we'll do it later."
The state's case rests on surveillance footage they say shows Kosowski at the Largo law office in a 32-minute window on March 21, 2023, arriving alone, leaving with a heavily loaded Gorilla Cart, and eventually disposing of Cozzi's remains at a Collier County landfill.
Cozzi's body has never been found. DNA from the bathroom and Kosowski's vehicles, cell phone data and internet searches connect him to the crime, prosecutors argue.
Kosowski has not been convicted of anything and is presumed innocent.
