Woman charged in drummer's death appears in court, but continues to refuse plea deal

Laurie Henner strides toward the defense table during a brief hearing in Strafford County Superior Court today. (Lebanon Voice photo)

DOVER - One of the women charged with riot in the death of Bang N Jane drummer Jim Unfonak was in court today for a status conference, the last stop prior to a November jury trial in Strafford County Superior Court.

Laurie Henner, 41, of Whitebirch Lane, Farmington, was indicted on felony riot charges in April along with Mandy Patch, 37, of Old Milton Road, Rochester. Jury selection for Henner's trial is set for Nov. 29.

Patch, 37, of Old Milton Road, Rochester, accepted a plea deal, and on June 6 received two consecutive 12-month sentences for her part in the fatal encounter, one for rioting and another for assaulting a woman inside Gary's Sports bar earlier the night of Unfonak's death. The second sentence was suspended for two years after her first sentence is completed

Eric Langlais, who is alleged to have delivered the fatal blow that killed Unfonak, is facing trial next year on manslaughter charges.

Langlais, 41, of 31 Lincoln Lane, Barnstead, 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.

Henner and Patch were both indicted 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.

Langlais' final pretrial conference is set for Jan. 4. The trial is expected to take about a week.