NORWICH – Peter Wlasiuk’s second trial for the alleged murder of his wife will begin next week as planned, Broome County Judge Martin Smith ruled Monday afternoon.
Despite defense attorney Randel Scharf’s lengthy list of reasons requesting another postponement in the case, Judge Smith remained adamant that jury selection will begin Monday morning at the Chenango County Courthouse.
Wlasiuk is charged with second degree murder in the 2002 death of his wife Patricia, whose body was found in Guilford Lake after what appeared to be a truck accident. Police later claimed Wlasiuk killed his wife at their Oxford home, and staged the Guilford Lake accident to cover it up. A jury convicted Wlasiuk of murder in 2003, but that decision was overturned on appeal in 2006.
With the trial set to begin Monday, it was also determined that Wlasiuk would remain in leg shackles during the proceedings as a security precaution. District Attorney Joseph McBride indicated that information from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department was that if given the chance, Wlasiuk would try to escape.
“I’m tired of the Sheriff’s Department making allegations that are untrue,” Wlasiuk said. “I’m here for a fair trial.”