LOCKPORT - The Niagara County Legislature voted, 13-5, Tuesday along straight caucus lines, to hire five attorneys to take criminal defense assignments now given to private lawyers. Legislature Chairman William L. Ross, C-Wheatfield, will appoint the five lawyers - an increase from the three originally proposed - who will defend indigent people ineligible for the public defender's representation because of conflicts of interest for those lawyers. Robert M. Pusateri of Pendleton, who has been reviewing assigned counsel vouchers for the past two years, will administer the new office for $27,500 a year. The five attorneys will be paid $40,000 a year and will receive no health benefits. No minimum qualifications are listed for the positions. The new arrangement will begin Sept.