Court papers hint at trigger behind vandalism spree

Woman faces up to 8 years in jail

ST. ALBANS CITY –– A St. Albans woman has denied charges that she caused more than $6,000 worth of damage to cars and buildings in St. Albans last month.
Shannon Lussier, 33, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three counts of misdemeanor unlawful mischief and a felony count of the same charge.
Lussier, who was emotional in the courtroom yesterday, faces up to eight years in prison and $8,000 in fines. It is likely she would pay restitution bill, if convicted of the crimes, which occurred during the overnight hours of June 19 and 20.
Lussier’s alleged accomplice, Felicity Richardson, 31, of St. Albans, was expected in court today to answer to charges that she drove Lussier around the city, while Lussier smashed windows with a baseball bat that belonged to Richardson’s son.
Richardson could face the same charges as Lussier. Police said both women could face additional charges.
Yesterday, Deputy State’s Attorney Diane Wheeler asked Judge Greg Rainville to impose a 24-hour curfew on Lussier.
“That way, she’s not in a place in the community where she can cause more damage,” Wheeler said.
Public Defender Steve Dunham argued that a 24-hour curfew would interfere with Lussier’s ability to get her children to and from daycare.
Rainville compromised with a 7 p.m.-to-7 a.m. curfew and will revisit the issue if Lussier violates her conditions of release, which also prevent her from having contact with her husband, Corey, 38, and Richardson.
According to court records, Corey Lussier went to city police on July 2 and said his wife might have committed the vandalism, because she was angry with him.
Corey Lussier told Det. Paul Morits that he was at a friend’s home in Alburgh on June 26, a week after the vandalisms, when Richardson showed at the home and said his wife had smashed out the windows, while Richardson drove her around.
Richardson later corroborated her story for Morits.
Police said Lussier allegedly smashed out: 12 windows at the Congregational Church, on Church Street; three windows at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church; one window at Franklin Superior Courthouse; and windows in seven vehicles parked on Bishop, Upper Newton and Upper Welden streets.
Total damages surpass $6,600, according to police.
Lussier’s Vermont criminal record also lists convictions for two DUIs and retail theft.