Man Who Shot Yardley Police Chief Seeks Sentence Reconsideration

YARDLEY, PA —Earlier this month, the man who shot Yardley Borough Police Chief Joseph Kelly III was sentenced to 15-to-30 years in state prison.

But now Colin Petroziello, 26, of Yardley, is asking for his sentence to be reconsidered.

Kelly told Patch that he was informed by his attorney that Petroziello made the request.

"I was disappointed to learn of this request for sentence reconsideration and the refusal of the defendant to accept responsibility for his crimes," Kelly said.

According to court filings, a hearing has been scheduled to reconsider or "modify" the sentence before President Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. at 9:30 a.m. on March 22.

Petroziello was sentenced to 15-to-30 years in state prison by Bateman Jr., on Feb. 6 for shooting and injuring Kelly III during a standoff in August 2021.

A call was left for Petroziello's Attorney Charles Peruto Jr. by Patch Friday morning.

Peruto Jr. stated that Petroziello, who has a long history of mental illness and substance abuse, was mentally unstable when he fired a shotgun at his front door on Aug. 18, 2021, the Bucks County Courier News reported.

The four-hour standoff took place at Petroziello's apartment at Yardley Commons while Kelly was attempting to conduct a well-being check.

The chief suffered injuries to his left hand and left ear and was treated at St. Mary Medical Center.

Petroziello had entered a no-contest plea in September to counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, two counts of attempted murder, six counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of assault of a law enforcement officer, persons not to possess a firearm, false imprisonment, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime.

"I have full confidence in the Bucks County District Attorney's Office and First Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and look forward to the day when the entire Yardley region can put this terrible day behind us," Kelly said.