The Connection

Except for the prosecutors, no one involved in Justin Wolfe’s murder sentencing last week left the courtroom happy. The victim’s family still grieves a son, Wolfe’s family continues to have a hole in it and Wolfe, himself, has decades more to serve in prison.

He was sentenced last Wednesday, July 20, in Prince William County Circuit Court for his role in a crime that happened 15 years ago – the gangland-style slaying of Danny Petrole. For his charge of first-degree murder, Wolfe received 33 years behind bars, plus five years and three years, respectively, for conspiracy to distribute marijuana and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The sentences are to run consecutively, for a total of 41 years, minus the 15 years he’s already served in prison, leaving him 26 more years to serve. (However, with good behavior, Wolfe, now 35, could possibly be released in his 50s).

“This murder was worse than most,” said Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh. “It wasn’t the product of a flash judgment and emotions – this was planned.”

The crime happened March 15, 2001 and involved Centreville High grad Petrole, 21, and Chantilly High grads Wolfe, then 19, and Owen Barber IV, 21. Drugs and money were at the heart of it, and authorities said Wolfe hired Barber to kill Petrole.

At the time, all three were deep into drug dealing. Barber sold low-grade marijuana, called “swag,” Petrole sold high-grade “chronic” marijuana and Wolfe bought it from both of them and dealt it to others.

During Wolfe’s initial trial in January 2002, Petrole’s roommate said Petrole spent $360,000 a month for 100 pounds of chronic sent to him from Seattle. But he also made big money selling it. After expenses, testified the roommate, Petrole pocketed anywhere from $100,000 to $140,000 a month from his drug enterprise.

Meanwhile, Wolfe owed Petrole $65,000 for marijuana Petrole had fronted him. But Wolfe didn’t have the cash to pay him for it so, according to his written confession, he asked Barber to kill him. Barber did so, pumping nine bullets into Petrole outside the victim’s Bristow townhouse.

When Wolfe was first tried, his charge was murder-for-hire, a capital offense; and in June 2002, he was sentenced to death. He was also given 33 years for drug and firearm charges.

Barber, who pleaded guilty to the murder, received 38 years in prison. As the triggerman, he, too, would have faced the death penalty but, in return for his testimony against Wolfe, prosecutors reduced his charge from capital murder to first-degree murder.

Over the years, Wolfe maintained his innocence and, after a series of events (see sidebar), he was retried again on slightly different charges. He was convicted in March after submitting a written confession to Prince William Circuit Court Judge Carroll Weimer Jr.

At the outset of Wolfe’s sentencing last week, Petrole’s parents both testified. “March 15, 2001 was the worst day of my life,” said his mother, Jane Petrole. “My son was taken from me and my heart was broken. But I have faith in Jesus and believe we’ll be together again, one day.

“What I don’t understand is how Justin could have done it. [When he was with Danny that night], he shook Danny’s hand, looked him in the eye and sent him to his death. And when he heard that Danny had died, he celebrated. Who does this?”

Petrole’s father, former secret-service agent Dan Petrole Sr., spoke next, while his wife, two other sons and their wives sat in the front row and listened. “Danny was such a special part of our family,” he said. “And even now, 15 years later, birthdays and holidays aren’t the same without him.”

Danny was the oldest of three sons, and his father described him as “a good person, kind and compassionate, and a loving son and brother. My job involved considerable travel, and he was the man of the family when I was gone. He called me at 5:30, the day he was murdered. We talked about taxes, his job and his school, NVCC. He told me, ‘I love you, Daddy,’ and I said, ‘I love you, too, buddy,’ and those were the last words I heard him say.”

“I’m disappointed he became a drug dealer, but I believe he might have become a success doing something else, if Justin hadn’t caused his death,” continued Dan Petrole. “That night, the phone rings and I hear Janie say, ‘Is he dead?’ Danny’s roommate says they’re doing CPR on him in the parking lot.”

Racing to Bristow from Virginia Run, the Petroles arrived about 30 minutes later and a police officer told them, “I’m sorry.” Dan Petrole said his wife started crying “uncontrollably” and he went to see his son. “He looked so peaceful,” he said. “I kissed him on the forehead and told him I loved him. The next morning, we had to wake up Bobby, 14, and tell him his brother had been killed. And we phoned his brother Johnny, away on spring break from college. Everyone was devastated.”

Dan Petrole then spoke of the “continued pain and suffering” caused by Wolfe’s “lying and deceit” about the crime. “But I’m grateful that Mr. Wolfe finally confessed his guilt,” he said. “It was important to my family to have closure and an end to the lies. As a Christian, I’ve forgiven him; but I believe forgiveness and justice don’t counteract each other. And in a civil society, people have to be held accountable for their actions – actions have consequences.”

The judge had already received several letters written on Wolfe’s behalf, and defense attorney Joseph Flood gave him others from Wolfe’s brother and sister, cousin and the security superintendent at the prison where he was. But he didn’t call any witnesses to testify – including Wolfe’s parents, stepfather and sister – who were all in court, along with many family friends.

Morrogh then said he thought Wolfe had “an addiction to his high-flying lifestyle, at the expense of those who were gentler” and “chose evil. While Mr. Petrole was kissing his son goodbye, Wolfe was celebrating with his friends at Bridges in Fairfax County.”

“Danny’s family has suffered greatly and can never get their son back,” continued Morrogh. “The hole in their hearts can never be mended. I’ve submitted a plea agreement for 41 years, but it seems a small price to pay for taking the life of such a kind and special young man.”

Flood told the judge that Wolfe “had the courage to take responsibility for his crime, committed by a young, immature and angry young man. Since then, Justin’s done everything to redeem himself and is now a humble, contrite, mature and remorseful person. Justin did a terrible thing, but that’s not his true character. Don’t just sentence that immature kid, but the man he’s become in the last 15 years.”

At 19, said Flood, Wolfe was “impulsive and impaired by drugs, with a brain not yet fully developed, and his [turbulent] youth was a significant factor in this crime. He’s been a model inmate for 15 years and he’s not incorrigible; he’s capable of rehabilitation. There’s a sentencing range of 29-41 years, and we believe 29 years is the most appropriate.”

Flood said Wolfe’s admitting guilt is “indicative of a willingness to change, reform and atone for a grievous sin. Justin had no history of violence. And in prison, he was subjected to pure, solitary, soul-crushing confinement, but never complained. We are not the sum total of the worst thing we ever did, nor is Justin Wolfe.”

But, said Morrogh, “He waited 15 years to plead guilty, and only when it was to his benefit to do so.”

Wolfe then stood and addressed the Petroles. “Danny was a great person and I understand the pain and suffering I’ve caused,” he said. “I know an apology isn’t enough, but I’m sorry.”

Before pronouncing sentence, Judge Weimer said, “No one can adequately understand what the Petrole and Wolfe families have been through. I don’t look at this as impulsive or youthful indiscretion; it was planned, deliberate and premeditated. And instead of saying, ‘What have we done?’ [Barber and Wolfe] celebrated that they were rid of this person to whom Mr. Wolfe owed money.”

Thoughts from Justin Wolfe’s mother.

“I hope the Petrole family can finally find the peace they have been waiting for. The past 15 years have been a nightmare for our family, as well, not knowing if Justin would live or die, and we are devastated with this result. Though he confessed, I am not really sure what the truth is at this point. I believe the truth was lost somewhere in the years of solitary confinement and threats of death to both Owen and Justin.

“What I do know is that drugs can cause a person to do things they never would have done if no drugs were involved; and since all of our conversations and visits are recorded, we have not really discussed guilt or innocence since he turned himself in 15 years ago to ‘clear his name of this murder.’

“I also know that this should never have been a capital case; Justin never should have never gone to death row and spent 13 years overall in solitary confinement. My family should not have had to live with the threat to his life constantly hanging over our heads, or worry that the solitary confinement would steal his mind.

“It is a sentence for all of us – hardest on Justin, but hard on his family struggling to save his life. Justin was facing so many charges, he was bound to end up facing his execution again or life in prison. Had this case been handled properly and fairly from the beginning, we could have known the truth then. Closure for both families could have begun 15 years ago.

“Justin has helped many others from inside those walls, and guards wrote letters that talked about Justin being a model inmate for all those years. He is not the same 19-year-old, drug-infected teenager making bad choices. He has had to grow up under the harshest conditions, and he has done so without bitterness or complaints. He is truly sorry for the loss of Danny and he has done everything he can to try to be a better man. If anyone has reformed, it is my son.

“Justin was celebrating his 20th birthday, the night of March 15, not Danny’s death, as the judge was led to believe. There was testimony in the first trial which proves Justin did not even know Danny was dead until after he got a phone call in the middle of the night, from a mutual friend, to Justin and Danny’s brother. It was stated back then that he fell to the floor and cried.

“My son was convinced that accepting responsibility would spare both families the torture of another trial. His stellar behavior since he’s been drug-free, as well as the hard time he’s served on death row, should have made a difference. He could have better served his time talking to young people about bad choices and how they can ruin your life in the blink of an eye. Drug use is still a problem in our society. I just hope that somehow some good can come from all of this. I will continue to keep the Petrole family in my prayers.”

— Terri Steinberg