NORWICH – Six and a half years and two jury trials after his wife’s death, Peter M. Wlasiuk was sentenced to 25 years to life Monday, with the judge recommending he never be released from prison.
“There’s no question in my mind you intentionally killed your wife and attempted to fake an accident,” said Broome County Court Judge Martin E. Smith. “The evidence overwhelmingly says you killed your wife,” he added.
After sentencing, District Attorney Joseph McBride said, “I’m very glad it’s over and I’m very glad Mr. Wlasiuk is going back to prison.”
Wlasiuk, 39, was convicted of second degree murder Sept. 26 for the April 2002 death of his wife, Patricia. Prosecutors contend Wlasiuk killed his wife at their Oxford home and later staged a Guilford Lake accident to cover it up.
Six years ago, another Chenango County jury also convicted Wlasiuk of second degree murder, but the New York State Appellate Division overturned that verdict on Aug. 31, 2006.
The second trial began with testimony Sept. 9, with McBride calling 58 witnesses and the defense nine.
The sentence echoes the one originally given to Wlasiuk by County Court Judge Sullivan on Jan. 17, 2003, when he was also sentenced to state prison for 25 years to life.
“This has been emotionally draining on the family and a drain on the county’s resources,” McBride said of the retrial.
Wlasiuk made an emotional 30-minute statement to the court in which he professed his love for Patricia and their family. “I love Patty even to this day,” he said.
Wlasiuk commended the judge for his part in the trial, but was adamant that he should receive a new trial because the jury made its decision based on the existence of biased diary entries that he never had a chance to respond to in court.
McBride rose to his feet prepared with an objection when Wlasiuk’s statements began to scrutinize the personal relationships his late wife had with her family, alleging a history of drug and sexual abuse. “Patty told me the horrors of her life,” he said. McBride sat back down, however, as Wlasiuk’s remarks shifted to other topics.
Wlasiuk said he didn’t testify in his own defense at the trial because, “ I don’t pick the right words or carry myself the right way.”
