Friend pleads not guilty in missing CT mom case

New Canaan Police Department(NEW YORK) -- A friend of Fotis Dulos pleaded not guilty Thursday to conspiracy to commit murder charges in connection to the disappearance of Dulos' wife, Jennifer Dulos.

Jennifer Dulos went missing in May 2019 amid a custody dispute with her estranged husband.

Fotis Dulos died by apparent suicide in January, weeks after he was charged with Jennifer Dulos' murder.

Kent Mawhinney, a friend of Fotis Dulos and an attorney himself, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder in January.

Fotis Dulos' girlfriend told police Fotis Dulos was meeting with Mawhinney at the time Jennifer Dulos disappeared, and according to an arrest warrant, Mawhinney gave conflicting statements to police about his contact with Fotis Dulos.

Mawhinney wore a tan jumpsuit and shackles to his brief court hearing Thursday. His attorney did not comment after the appearance.

Mawhinney is set to return to court on March 31.

Fotis Dulos' girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder and has pleaded not guilty. She is next due in court on March 4.

Jennifer Dulos' body has never been found.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.