TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The plastic surgeon who was accused of murdering Largo attorney Steven Cozzi will not be released from jail until his trial is finished, according to a new ruling.
Authorities said they arrested Tomasz Kosowski in March after he allegedly killed Cozzi in the bathroom of his workplace, Blanchard Law. However, Cozzi’s body has still not been found.
Tuesday, a judge ruled Kosowski would be held without bond, saying he poses a flight risk and threat to the community due to items found during his arrest.
Among these items were a Polish and United States passport, $280,000 in cash, and “tools to kidnap and kill others,” court records said.
“He also had in his vehicle masks (including ski masks, a black plastic face mask and a Guy Fawkes mask), duct tape, plastic brass knuckles, a stun gun, a Tracfone, multiple firearms, a ballistic vest with ‘EMS’ written on it, patches for PCSO and Clearwater PD, industrial trash bags, a crowbar, and a vial of succinylcholine, a paralytic agent,” said an affidavit filed Monday.
During the hearing, attorney Jake Blanchard, Cozzi’s boss, said he and his family were terrified Blanchard would be a target if Kosowski were given bond.
In court, 911 calls were played from the day Blanchard became concerned.
“There’s blood in the bathroom. I can’t find him.”
“His vehicle is still there. His wallet, keys and phone are on the desk.”
State prosecutors showed photos from inside the bathroom at Blanchard Law. It’s where police believe Kosowski killed Cozzi and the same place where the two allegedly got into a verbal dispute in January.
“Kosowski called him a scumbag like his clients in the bathroom,” said Blanchard while on the stand.
Blanchard said Kosowski had a conflict with Cozzi over a ‘contentious’ medical billing lawsuit. The two had a hearing that day in March, but Cozzi never attended.
Court documents reveal Cozzi’s body may have been dumped in a Collier County landfill, but his body has not been found.
“My initial thought was when he said Steve was missing, my initial thought was that Tom had done it, that Tom was responsible, because he hated us,” Attorney and Co-Counsel Jacob Pillsbury said. “He made it very clear.”
The judge told Kosowski that if he wanted a quick trial, he would accommodate.
The state is seeking the death penalty in this case. In a notice from State Attorney Bruce Bartlett, it said the capital felony was a homicide and was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner and they plan to prove it.
