Motion filed in Lussier appeal

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

Hurley — A new attorney has been appointed to represent Joseph Lussier, who was convicted of murder and hiding a corpse in August in Iron County.

According to automated court records, Timothy Provis was recently appointed to represent Lussier, 27, in an appeal.

Lussier is serving a life sentence in the Green Bay Correctional facility in the death of Wayne M. Valliere Jr., of Lac du Flambeau.

On Wednesday, a motion was filed for the public defender’s office to extend the time to appoint counsel for Lussier’s appeal, however.

Lussier was represented by Craig Haukaas when he was convicted by an Iron County jury in a week-long trial, along with Richard F.A. Allen, 28.

Also charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree intentional homicide and being a party to hiding a corpse were James Lussier, 20, of Woodruff; Evan T. Oungst, 27, of Arbor Vitae, and Curtis Wolfe, 26, of Lac du Flambeau.

Valliere was beaten and shot to death. His body was found on New Year’s day in a remote area in the snow on a tote road near Mercer.

Valliere was thought to be a drug informant. The five defendants took him for a ride and he was shot several times.

James Lussier, 20, is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. He is being held in the Iron County Jail.

Court proceedings are pending against Wolfe and Oungst.

Assistant Wisconsin Attorney General Richard Dufour is handling prosecution of all five defendants.