Justin Wolfe Moved Off Death Row

left the cell that he has called home for the past nine years Wednesday after the Virginia State Department of Corrections released the Chantilly man from death row and placed him in the Sussex II State Prison across the street.

Wolfe’s convictions for murder-for-hire, marijuana distribution and a gun charges related to the 2001 murder of Centreville's Daniel Robert Petrole Jr. by U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson . Triggerman Owen Merton Barber IV, who testified in 2001 that Wolfe ordered the murder, and that prosecutors – and even his own defense attorney – said he could only escape a capital trial by testifying against his former friend.

Now as Wolfe awaits to the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals seeking a reversal of Jackson’s order, he remains in prison, but no longer on death row, where he had been since 2002.

“They moved him this afternoon,” Terri Steinberg, Wolfe’s mother, said late Wednesday evening. “I’m grateful. I’m very grateful.”

She had not talked to him about the move at that point and was anxious to do so.

“I just want to make sure he’s OK,” she said. "Why hasn’t he been able to call?” 

To Steinberg – who is clearly uncertain whether her son is better off outside the isolation of death row – the best part of the move is that the family can have contact visits.

“It’s great news that he gets to go outside. He has been dormant for nine years,” she said, since he’s been confined to a cell 23 hours a day. “I can’t wait to hug him.”

Even during Wolfe’s hour outside each day, he remained in isolation. Now he may end up in general population; his location in Sussex II was not clear Wednesday evening.

“I knew he was safe there,” Steinberg said, referring to death row and wondering how he’ll adjust. “I’m sure he’s fine, but I’m worried. I’m a mother.”

about the Prince William prosecutors in the case because he felt the prosecutors did not turn over exculpatory evidence in the case – evidence Wolfe could have pursued to prove his innocence at trial – or disclose information they knew could be used by the defense to impeach witnesses. 

Wolfe has always maintained his innocence and the only direct evidence implicating him came from Barber, who has .