Trials
Kosowski waived the jury. The judge is the fact-finder in a no-body murder trial.
As of Sept. 17, Kosowski is on trial in Pinellas County for first-degree murder, representing himself after waiving a jury, and the prosecution is seeking death. There is no verdict.
By Crime Talk Network Staff Writer ·
A bench trial is still a trial. The State still has to prove first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt. The difference is who decides. Tomasz Kosowski waived a jury for both guilt and any penalty phase and is representing himself in Pinellas County before Judge Joseph Bulone. Prosecutors allege he killed attorney Steven Cozzi in March 2023. Cozzi’s body has not been found. That does not lower the burden. A missing body case is harder for the State, not easier. There is no verdict as of Sept. 17, 2026.
As of Thursday’s session, the prosecution was still putting on its case. Kosowski largely sat through the first days without crossing witnesses, then began questioning the State’s experts on DNA, phone records, and blood. Asking “what happened to Steven” in a courtroom is advocacy. It is not a finding. The judge is the only person who will answer that question on a verdict.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Because Kosowski waived the jury for the penalty phase as well, a conviction would send sentencing to the same judge — not a separate capital jury. That waiver is a strategic choice. It is not a plea. Kosowski is presumed innocent unless and until the court finds the State proved the charge.
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Reporting noted by WACB, WHKY, and Taylorsville Times.
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Reporting noted by Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, WFTV, WCJB, and Law & Crime.
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Reporting noted by Keys News, Keys Weekly, Miami Herald, NBC 6 South Florida, Monroe County State Attorney's Office, and Monroe County Sheriff's Office.