Complaint outlines case against suspect in Lac du Flambeau stabbing case

A criminal complaint recounting the law enforcement investigation of a fatal stabbing at a Lac du Flambeau residence in the early morning hours of Aug. 19 was filed in Vilas County Circuit Court on Aug. 23.

The names of the two men involved in the fatal stabbing were released last Monday in a press release issued by Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Chief T.J. Bill.

According to Bill, Joshua J. Hart, 38, was stabbed with a large butcher knife and pronounced dead upon arrival to Howard Young Medical Center. 

Witnesses at the scene, and Hart himself, gave law enforcement the suspect’s name, Matthew L.T. Allen Jr., 20, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Tribal police responded to the 2800 block of Maang Avenue, Allen’s mother’s house, in Lac du Flambeau just after 1 a.m. on Aug. 19. 

Upon arrival, the responding officer is said in the complaint to have seen Hart “lying on the front stoop just outside the front door” with two females tending to him, one being Allen’s mother.

“(The responding officer) observed that (Hart) was covered in what appeared to be a large amount of blood,” the complaint states. “(A Vilas County sheriff’s deputy) arrived to assisted. An ambulance was also summoned to the scene.”

While Hart’s wound was “bleeding heavily” from his left abdomen area, the complaint says he told the responding officer that Allen was the person who stabbed him.

An 8-inch butcher knife was retrieved from the scene, according to the complaint, “just inside the front door.”

“Blood spatter and bloody shoe prints were observed on the floor inside the house,” the complaint states. “Several minor children were also located in various bedrooms within the house.”

Allen’s mother told the responding officer that Allen “just got loud and he went outside” before Hart was stabbed. 

She said she also saw Hart outside the house and attempted to call him back inside. 

Allen’s mother, the complaint states, told the responding officer she didn’t know where her son could’ve gone. She did, however, mention that Allen had a girlfriend in the greater Wausau area.

According to the complaint, investigators were able to view video footage obtained from an outside camera attached to a neighboring house. The video footage showed Allen leaving his mother’s home at about 1:10 a.m. 

After contacting Allen’s girlfriend, the complaint says investigators were made aware he could possibly be with his girlfriend’s mother and traveling back to Lac du Flambeau from the Minocqua area.

“At approximately 8:45 a.m. investigating officers stopped a red SUV which was northbound on STH 47,” the complaint states. “The front seat passenger was subsequently identified as the above-named defendant, Matthew Allen, and the driver was identified as (his girlfriend’s mother). The defendant was arrested. Officers observed what appeared to be blood stains on the defendant’s clothing.”

In an interview with investigators after he was taken into custody, Allen “repeatedly stated that he did not intend to stab the victim with the knife,” the complaint states.

Allen said he knew Hart through Hart’s relationship with his mother, and a verbal altercation between the two came about after Allen felt Hart was “disrespecting” him.

“The defendant stated that he backed into the kitchen to retrieve a knife,” the complaint states. “The defendant stated that he then ran to the front door. The defendant stated that he opened the door and then turned around. The defendant stated that he held the knife up to (Hart), keeping the handle close to his chest. The defendant then stated that (Hart) tried to grab him, and when that happened ‘(the knife) sticks in him.’ The defendant stated that at no point was the victim armed with any kind of weapon.”

On Aug. 21, Vilas County circuit judge Daniel Overbey set a cash bond of $100,000. Allen’s bond conditions were amended by circuit judge Martha Milanowski during an Aug. 23 status hearing, which included an order directing that Allen be fitted with a GPS monitor before leaving jail. Other conditions include a curfew of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week. In addition, he cannot leave Vilas County except to go to Oneida County if he has an attorney present and he cannot have any contact with the victim’s family.

Allen is charged with first-degree reckless homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon, a Class B felony. 

If convicted, he faces imprisonment not to exceed 60 years, and because he is accused of using a dangerous weapon, the maximum term of imprisonment may be increased by no more than five years. 

Allen is due back in court tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. for an adjourned initial appearance. 

Trevor Greene may be reached at [email protected].