The judge then appointed lawyers John Putikka of Thompson Falls and Ben Anciaux of Polson to replace Dupuis. Christopher said she appointed two attorneys instead of one hoping to avoid further delays in the trial, which already has been postponed several times on various procedural issues.
Couture, 46, of Ronan, is accused of shooting 19-year-old Daniel McLeod of Ronan multiple times with a rifle May 2, and then dumping his body in the Flathead River.
The judge scheduled a status conference in the case for next Thursday. A hearing on a motion that could result in suppression of most evidence in the case is scheduled for Nov. 17.
Ever since she was appointed to the case last June, Dupuis has fought to get evidence thrown out because the original search warrant cannot be located. The search led to Couture's arrest for possession of dangerous drugs; a day or so later, he was charged with murder.
The warrant apparently was lost during the illness of lead detective Andy Cannon, who was allowed to work from home during cancer treatments. Cannon died last summer.
Dupuis was not present during Thursday's court proceedings, and did not return a phone call to her office in Polson for comment.
Christopher also could not immediately be reached for comment.
Lake County Attorney Bob Long said a criminal investigation into Dupuis' fiduciary responsibilities in her private law practice may be pending.
However, Dupuis' license to practice law remains in good standing at the State Bar of Montana in Helena, and no disciplinary action has been taken against her by the state Commission on Practice, officials at both agencies said Thursday afternoon.
It's quite unusual to replace a criminal defendant's attorney this close to trial when the defendant hasn't demanded it. Even then, a judge is reluctant to do so, since it almost always means delay.
Usually a hearing is held to replace a defendant's public defender, although such hearings often are held in the judge's chambers out of public view. No such hearing was held in Couture's case.
Also Thursday, Christopher granted a request by Chief Deputy Lake County Attorney Mitch Young to put on hold a deadline for him to appeal the judge's order suppressing evidence gathered from the missing search warrant.
Reporter John Stromnes can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or at jstromnes@missoulian.com
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