Pro Se Surgeon Seeks Courtroom Volunteers for Lifting Demonstration; Judge Denies Request in Murder Trial

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Florida plastic surgeon representing himself in a first-degree murder trial attempted to recruit courtroom volunteers to demonstrate how a roughly 190–195 pound person might be lifted into a truck, but the judge sustained objections and declined the live demonstration.

Tomasz Kosowski, 47, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he killed 41-year-old attorney Steven Cozzi, who disappeared in March 2023. Prosecutors say Cozzi had been representing clients suing Kosowski and contend Kosowski, upset over the litigation, killed the attorney in a bathroom at Cozzi's law office. Kosowski, a Dartmouth Medical School graduate, waived his right to a jury and is representing himself; Judge Joseph Bulone will decide the case.

Evidence and Cross-Examination

Prosecutors have presented forensic, digital and circumstantial evidence that they say links Kosowski to Cozzi's disappearance, including the defendant's DNA in the law firm bathroom, Cozzi's DNA in Kosowski's vehicle, and surveillance footage showing Kosowski's vehicle leaving the law office and later driving toward his home on the day Cozzi vanished. Despite extensive searches, Cozzi's remains have not been recovered.

During cross-examination of Largo police officer Colin Bolton, Kosowski probed whether he acted alone. Bolton testified, "Based on all the evidence I've seen, it appears that way." Prosecutors’ theory presented at trial is that Kosowski killed Cozzi in a bathroom, loaded the body into a Gorilla Cart, wheeled it to his truck, later transferred the remains to a second vehicle, and disposed of the body in a dumpster.

Prosecutors say Tomasz Kosowski is visible on surveillance video dragging a wagon away from Steven Cozzi's office. (Court TV)

Proposed Demonstration

Kosowski questioned Bolton about the logistics of lifting a roughly 190-pound person. Bolton described that weight as "a movable amount of weight" that could be lifted and placed into a truck bed if the person were in a wagon. Kosowski then asked whether Bolton exercised and lifted weights, and whether he would volunteer to help with a demonstration; Bolton agreed he would.

Pointing to a courtroom desk Kosowski said measured about 30 inches high — close to his Toyota Tundra's 28-inch tailgate — he proposed placing a volunteer weighing approximately 190–195 pounds into the admitted Gorilla Cart and having Bolton lift it onto the desk to show the maneuver was plausible. Prosecutors objected, and Judge Bulone sustained the objection, saying Kosowski had already made his point. Kosowski pressed his argument, noting his medical experience transferring patients and urging the court to allow the demonstration; the judge denied the request but said he would consider Kosowski's argument further.

Earlier Request And State's Response

Kosowski previously asked a prosecutor to step into a 39-gallon trash bag to prove it could hold a body. The prosecutor, Nathan Vonderheide, declined; he said his co-counsel, Alexandra Spadaro, had later tested whether she fit into the bag and that the state's final witness would attest to that test.

"If your theory is real, you should have no problem lifting that cart up with a 195-pound person onto that desk," Kosowski told the court, arguing the state should demonstrate plausibility rather than rely solely on theory.

The trial remains underway and Judge Bulone will rule on the evidence and arguments presented as the proceedings continue.