NEW HAMPSHIRE’S FASTEST GROWING ONLINE NEWSPAPER

Nov. trial looms for woman charged in drummer's death

Comment Print
Related Articles
Laurie Henner (Rochester Police photo)

DOVER, N.H. - One of the women charged along with a Barnstead man in the death of Bang N Jane drummer Jim Unfonak could be headed for a November trial if no plea agreement can be worked out with prosecutors.

Laurie Henner, 41, of Whitebirch Lane, Farmington, has not accepted any deal yet, though one has been offered, Assistant County Attorney Tim Sullivan said. After Tuesday's dispositional hearing for Henner failed to move forward with any type of agreement, Sullivan said if nothing is locked down during another status hearing in mid-June a jury trial could begin in November.

Eric Langlais, who is alleged to have delivered the fatal blow that killed Unfonak, was also indicted last month, on manslaughter and riot charges. His next hearing is also in June.

Langlais, 41, of 31 Lincoln Lane, is alleged to have punched Unfonak in the head early on Sunday, Jan. 31, in the parking lot of Gary's Sports Bar in Rochester, a blow that left him on life support until he died the next day.

Mandy Patch, 37, of Old Milton Road, Rochester, the other local woman who was indicted on a felony riot charges, is expected to officially accept a plea deal in about a month, Sullivan said last week, adding details of the plea could not be discussed.

Beside the felony riot charge which can draw a seven-year prison term, Patch also faces a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly hitting a woman earlier in the evening inside Gary's well before the final fatal confrontation outside. The assault charge could result in up to a year in jail.

Henner and Patch were both indicted on riot charges for allegedly "assembling" with Langlais outside Gary's Sports Bar and having the same purpose when they assembled "of engaging in tumultuous or violent conduct, and in the course of and as a result of the conduct James Unfonak suffered physical injury."

Unfonak suffered the fatal blow while attempting to get into a car and leave the tavern parking lot after earlier having had an altercation with Langlais inside the bar.

According to a police affidavit, video provided by the owner of the sports bar shows Patch, Henner and Langlais being escorted from the bar, but they appear to have waited outside in the parking lot for Unfonak to leave despite bouncers' demands that they leave.

Then around 1:32 a.m., as bar staff help Unfonak to the vehicle, "The video shows that Eric then hits James on the left side of his body. James takes a few steps back while putting both of his hands up in what appears to be a defensive position. The suspect is then seen punching James once on the left side of his face," the affidavit states.

After Unfonak falls to the ground, Patch could be seen in the video clapping and jumping, the affidavit states.

Unfonak was transported to Maine Med where he was taken off life support the next day.

Langlais remains at Strafford County Jail on $25,000 cash bail, while Patch and Henner are free on personal recognizance.

Read more from:
Rochester
Tags:
None
Share:
Comment Print
Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: