Parole is denied for convicted wife killer Dennis Tetso
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Updated: 6:19 PM EST Feb 28, 2019
Lowell Melser
News Reporter, Meteorologist
SHOW TRANSCRIPT
HAGERSTOWN, Md. —
For the first time since going to prison back in 2010, Dennis Tetso -- who was convicted of murdering his wife, Tracey Gardner -- went before a parole board.
In 2005, Gardner went missing after she failed to show up at a Motley Crue concert. Her body was never found.
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It took about 20 minutes for parole commissioners to determine that Tetso's parole should be denied. He maintained his innocence, showed no remorse and told the commissioners that he did not murder his wife.
"Rehashing everything that happened, the lies that we heard today, it just solidified that he's guilty," said family spokesperson Monika Barilla.
Friends and family of Gardner breathed a sigh of relief Thursday as Tetso was denied parole.
Tetso was found guilty of second-degree murder in 2010 and sentenced to 30 years with all but 18 of them suspended.
Tetso has always denied his role in his wife's murder as her body was never found and continued to do so at his parole hearing, telling commissioners, "I have nothing to say. I didn't commit a crime. I have no idea where she (Tracey) is and I will take it to my grave."
Friends and family told the commissioners that if detectives hadn't continued investigating and found evidence in the case -- a key belonging to Gardner's TransAm -- Testo would have gotten away with what they call "the perfect murder."
"He lives in a dreamworld. He wants to keep living in his life he's controlling Tracey, like he always has and he wants to end it that way -- that he won't tell us where she is," said Barilla.
In closing testimony to commissioners, Tetso choked back tears saying, "I don't belong here. I want to get back to work. Please grant me parole."
Commissioners denied his request, citing his lack of remorse, overwhelming evidence in the case and loss of appeals.
Barilla told 11 News the first person she contacted was Gardner's stepmother who is being treated for cancer.
"I just texted Kathy to let her know she's in the hospital, but she needs to know first that he staying there," Barilla said.
Tetso will now have to serve the remainder of his term, and with good behavior could be out as soon as November 2022.
Lowell Melser
✔@MelserWBAL
PAROLE DENIED for Dennis Tetso convicted of killing his wife Tracey Gardner who vanished in 2005. Her body was never found. Tetso has been in prison since 2010 serving a 30 sentence with 18 years suspended. Earliest he can be released is Nov 2020.
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12:53 PM - Feb 28, 2019
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