March 7, 2018 at 4:17 p.m.
Emotions run high in hearing for men charged in Valliere murder case
Emotions run high in hearing for men charged in Valliere murder case
Valliere Jr., 25, Lac du Flambeau, was reported missing in late December, his body found in Iron County during the first few days of January.
His death was ruled a homicide and five men - Richard F.A. Allen, 27, Joseph Lussier, 26, James Lussier, 19, Curtis Wolfe, 27 and Evan Oungst, 28 - are charged with one count each of first degree intentional homicide and one count each of hiding a corpse.
Allen's bail was set at $1 million last month and Monday, bail was also set at $1 million each for the two Lussiers and Oungst.
Wolfe's initial appearance is scheduled for this coming Monday in Iron County Court.
Assistant attorney general Richard Dufour said he would consult with the five defense attorneys to set dates for preliminary hearings.
Beyond words
Allen was the first to appear before Madden and as he was escorted from the courtroom following his brief appearance, shouts of "Monster!" and "Devil!" could be heard from Valliere Jr.'s mother and sister.
Some members of Valliere Jr.'s family called out to Joseph Lussier with expletives as he was led away following his appearance, one of them saying Lussier was smiling.
"Let him smile," another said.
"What a piece of (expletive)," yet another said.
Nothing was said as James Lussier left the courtroom following his appearance.
Last to appear was Oungst and while Hogan was making her case for a Oungst bond reduction, some members of Valliere Jr.'s family shook their heads, one of them saying while Hogan was speaking Oungst was just as guilty as the others.
After the court proceeding, Valliere Jr.'s father Wayne Valliere Sr. made a statement for the press.
"We were quite happy when the judge kept the bonds at $1 million cash," he said. "We feel everybody needs to be brought to justice. Our loss is beyond words. The loss my family and I feel, the loss of Wayne Jr. ... is beyond words. To our spirituality and to our integrity as a family."
Valliere Sr. said he feels law enforcement officials have a great amount of respect for his family which he said is putting "total faith in the court system to do the right thing and bring all persons involved in this horrendous case taking away our son."
"Not only the five defendants but also people that were involved as far as aiding and abetting and obstruction of law," he said. "We feel these people should also be brought to justice because even after it's all said and done, we still don't get our son back and we still have to bear that loss for the rest of our lives."
Valliere Sr. said the loss of his son affects more than his family.
"It's like dropping a pebble into water," he said. "The ripples go outward and this case has touched so many people, not only in Lac du Flambeau but in Indian country, have been touched by this. He was a good kid. He was a person that loved this culture, loved life, respected people and trusted people."
Valliere Sr. said his son was part of the future of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
"He'll be greatly missed," he said.
Oungst attorney attempts to lower bail, files motion to sever
Allen and the Lussiers appeared in court Monday while Oungst appeared via video from the Vilas County Jail with his attorney, Maggie Hogan.
Oungst faces charges in Vilas County of harboring and/or aiding a felon and resisting and/or obstructing an officer, both in connection with the Iron County charges against him.
Each of the four waived hearing the charges against them as well as a 10-day time limit for setting their preliminary hearings.
Oungst appeared last and Hogan informed the court she planned to file a motion to sever, which essentially means if granted, Oungst won't be tried with the others.
She filed that motion Monday afternoon. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 12.
Hogan also attempted to get Oungst's bail reduced from the $1 million Dufour was after, saying Oungst had nothing serious on his record previously.
"He may have a traffic citation but that would be the extent of his prior record," Hogan said. "Furthermore, it is our position, and I think the position of many, that Mr. Oungst is far less culpable than the other co-defendants in this case and that's one of the basis's for our request for a motion to sever. He's been in contact with law enforcement in anticipation and prior to the case's filing. It is accurate that he is currently out on $2,500 cash bond in Vilas County. So, clearly, that's an amount (the $1 million) he cannot post and there's zero risk of flight in this situation."
She said Oungst's mother and father reside in Vilas County.
"They have for many years," Hogan said. "He's grown up here. Any other conditions of bond can certainly be adherered to as the bond in Mr. Oungst's other case was set in early January. I believe a far less cash amount is appropriate to ensure Mr. Oungst's appearance in future proceedings and we would request the court consider a lower amount, your honor."
Madden disagreed and said the $1 million bond for Oungst was appropriate, drawing applause from several members of Valliere, Jr.'s family.
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