NORWICH – Peter M. Wlasiuk has been assigned a new attorney to defend him against the murder charges standing against him. Local attorney Scott Clippinger was appointed to represent Wlasiuk by presiding Broome County Court Judge Martin E. Smith.

Clippinger said his client is an innocent man and has suffered at the hands of the legal system. “Here is a man that has had four years of his life taken away,” said Clippinger.

Clippinger said he had not reviewed the case enough to rule out the possibility of requesting a change in venue, saying, “ Judging from what I’ve read and watched in the media, it may be difficult to find a jury.” A change in venue would mean that the case could be tried outside of Chenango County for the purpose of finding a fair and impartial jury. Clippinger also said, “He (Wlasuik) is a destitute man because of the cost of his first trial.”