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.