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News › Young Hunter Sent to Prison

St. Albans, Vermont - November 9, 2007

A Franklin County man has been sentenced to prison time for fatally shooting a farmer during deer season two years ago. Collin Viens, 20, claimed he did not deserve prison because the shooting was a tragic accident, not a crime. But the judge disagreed.

Two weeks ago, a St. Johnsbury man became the first Vermont hunter ever sentenced to do prison time for negligently killing someone during deer season. Friday, Viens became the second, despite his tearful apology to the victim's family.

"I just want to express my sorrow for the family for all the pain that I've caused them. I couldn't begin to imagine losing my father in an accident when it wasn't his time to go," Viens sobbed at his sentencing.

Viens apology to Rejean Lussier's family came two years after he fatally shot the 60-year-old St. Albans farmer. Viens was deer hunting for the first time with friends and took a pot shot at a tractor in an open corn field from 250 yards, not knowing Lussier was inside the cab. Viens initially lied to police. He claimed he had shot at a coyote even after he knew the farmer had been killed. He eventually told police the gun went off accidentally.

His first trial for manslaughter ended with a hung jury unable to agree on a verdict. Then Judge Ben Joseph rejected a potential plea offer because it did not include any prison time.

Viens chose to go to trial again, but this time a jury found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Friday, Viens and his lawyers asked for mercy, no prison time. They pointed to his youthful age and they claimed the shooting was a tragic accident, not a crime.

"I'm just so sorry for what has all happened. I just want to apologize to my family and the Lussiers... and everybody that was involved," said Viens.

When it was her turn Lussier's widow wanted the judge to know that she believes Viens deserves prison.

"I can't put into words the pain and devastation Collin has brought on myself and my family. Everyone including his family has suffered because of his actions. The day has finally come for him to join us," said Bonnie Lussier.

"It is important that the public know that this was not a hunting accident," said Vt. District Court Judge Ben Joseph.

Judge Joseph explained that the jury rejected the accident claim when they found Viens guilty of a crime that included lies to police. "He told those lies calmly and with no apparent distress and there were no tears for Mr. Lussier. He showed that he's a good liar and willing to manipulate people to avoid punishment," said the judge who then sentenced Viens to serve 1-to-5 years in prison to begin at once.

For Franklin County Prosecutor Jim Hughes the sentence imposed was just. "I think is a sentence that the community wants to see. People need to know that you can't be reckless and negligent with a firearm."

Judge Joseph recommended Viens serve the sentence in the prison work camp in St. Johnsbury. But Corrections Commissioner Rob Hoffman says Viens does not qualify for work camp because manslaughter is a violent crime. Hoffman says Viens will do his time in a regular prison and will not be eligible for furlough release until he has served at least nine months of the sentence.

Brian Joyce - WCAX News

http://www.wcax.com:80/Global/story.asp?S=7335305&nav=menu183_14_1

Posted by ~Ace~ on Saturday, November 10, 2007 (15:18:10) (909 reads)

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