Date of Birth: March 17, 1982

Sex: Male

Race: White

Entered the Row:  June 26, 2002

District:  Prince William County

Conviction: Murder for Hire

Virginia DOC Inmate Number: 309126

Justin Michael Wolfe was a teen who dealt high-grade marijuana in the suburban outskirts of the nation’s capital in Northern Virginia. Subsequent to the murder of his high school buddy and drug kingpin Daniel Robert Petrole, Jr., Prince William County issued an arrest warrant for Wolfe. On April 30, 2001, he turned himself in to authorities.[i]  

In an agreement with prosecutors, Owen Barber IV, 21, another high school friend, pled guilty to first-degree murder and agreed to testify against Wolfe at trial. However, in spite of the plea agreement, Barber still faced life in prison for his role.  . 

Based on the testimony of the confessed murderer, Owen Merton Barber IV, 21, Justin was charged with murder for hire, a capital offense pursuant to Virginia Code Section 18.2-31(2).

During trial, the commonwealth asserted that Wolfe wanted Petrole dead because he owed him a drug debt of more than $80,000.  However, Wolfe’s attorney noted that he had very little reason to kill the person who stocked his drug operation.[ii] In the realm of a $10 million marijuana and Ecstasy drug ring,[iii] $80,000 was not a big debt.

On Jan. 22, 2002, a jury of nine women and three men disagreed with the defense and convicted Wolfe of capital murder. After deliberating for five hours, they recommended that Wolfe be executed.

Circuit Judge Herman A. Whisenant, Jr. imposed the death sentence on June 26.[iv]  A little more than a month later, Whisenant also sentenced Barber, the sworn killer, to a considerably lower sentence.[v]  Barber received 38 years in prison.[vi]   

The Supreme Court of Virginia upheld Wolfe’s death sentence on Feb. 28, 2003.[vii]  Less than a month later, the state’s disciplinary board suspended the law license of John H. Partridge, Wolfe’s lead counsel, for repeatedly mishandling client cases.[viii] In light of the disciplinary action, Wolfe asked the district court to financially assist him with his death sentence appeal. Whisenant denied Wolfe’s request.[ix]    

Whitesant retired from the bench in 2004.  When asked

why he had sentenced Wolfe to die, he responded that he was simply following the recommendation of the jurors. “I feel you’re just imposing your own personal feelings when you go contrary to a jury recommendation.”[x]

[i] Richmond Times-Dispatch.  May 2, 2001. B-2.

[ii] Associated Press. Jan. 6, 2002.

[iii] Associated Press. Aug. 12, 2001.

[iv] Associated Press. June 26, 2002.

[v] Washington Post. Aug. 8, 2002. B04.

[vi] Washington Post. Aug. 8, 2002. B04.

[vii] Justin M. Wolfe v. Virginia.  Feb. 28, 2003.

[viii] Washington Post.  March 27, 2003. B01.

[ix] Richmond Times-Dispatch. Oct. 31, 2003. B-2.

[x] Washington Post. May 30, 2004. T05.