Peter Wlasiuk's conviction hinges on prosecutors' claims that he staged his late wife's drowning in a lake—a theory based on now-discredited "lake science" about how bodies behave in water. Despite evidence suggesting his late wife's death was a tragic accident, and multiple experts challenging the prosecution's pseudoscientific claims, he remains imprisoned after 23 years.

The case began on April 3, 2002, when Peter and Patricia Wlasiuk were involved in a tragic car accident that ended with Patty drowning. Patricia's body was recovered from Guilford Lake in the early morning hours, setting off a chain of events that would lead to Peter's controversial conviction.

The prosecution's case has faced significant challenges over the years. Peter was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in 2002, but the path to this conviction has been marked by controversy and questionable evidence. Notably, he has faced three separate trials, with two of his convictions being overturned, highlighting the problematic nature of the evidence against him.

The scientific basis for the prosecution's theory has come under increasing scrutiny. Their claims about how bodies behave in water and the mechanics of drowning have been challenged by modern forensic experts. A key piece of physical evidence—a small burdock branch allegedly containing strands of Patricia's hair—was later revealed to have been mishandled, casting further doubt on the prosecution's case.

Wlasiuk has consistently maintained his innocence, and his case has gained support from advocates who point to serious flaws in the prosecution's theory. The controversy surrounding the case has led to questions about whether this represents another wrongful conviction based on flawed science and rushed conclusions.

Recent developments have brought new attention to the case. His current wife, Heather Wlasiuk, has been actively fighting for his freedom, arguing that he was wrongfully convicted. The case has become a focal point in discussions about the use of questionable scientific evidence in criminal trials and the resistance of the justice system to acknowledge potential errors in its application of forensic science.

The prosecution's theory has faced particular criticism for its reliance on outdated understanding of drowning physics and lake science. Suspicions about a staged drowning quickly surfaced after Patricia's body was found, but these suspicions were based more on speculation and now-discredited theories about drowning patterns than on solid scientific evidence. Despite these serious questions about the scientific basis of his conviction, Wlasiuk continues to serve his sentence while fighting to prove his innocence.