NORWICH – Testimony in the trial of accused murderer Peter Wlasiuk is scheduled to resume today, with the prosecution set to wrap-up its case by today or early tomorrow, according to Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride.
It’s alleged that Wlasiuk, in April of 2002, murdered his wife, Patricia, at the couple’s Oxford home, later driving or pushing his 1998 GMC pick-up truck into the waters of Guilford Lake in an effort to conceal the crime. According to Wlasiuk, his wife was driving the truck when she swerved to miss a deer while travelling east on County Road 35, afterward veering into the lake. The defense alleges Patricia Wlasiuk drowned. According to the district attorney’s office, Wlasiuk smothered his wife to death and later changed his story, stating Patricia had purposely driven into the lake as the couple argued.
This is the third full week of testimony in the case against Wlasiuk – charged with second degree murder – who could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Two previous convictions, in 2003 and 2008, were successfully appealed, in 2006 and 2011, respectively.