City man faces more than 35 years in fatal DWI crash that claimed best friend's life

An emotional Lawrence Douglas looks over at public defender Emily Roberts as fellow defense counsel David Betancourt looks away after a lunch recess was called in Lawrence's manslaughter trial on Monday. (Rochester Voice photo)

DOVER - A 40-year-old city man who was allegedly speeding while driving drunk and high on drugs is facing up to 37 years in prison in the death of his next-door neighbor in an April 2016 rollover crash on the Spaulding Turnpike in Rochester.

Lawrence Douglas, of 32 Lafayette St., is charged with alternative counts of negligent homicide and manslaughter as well as aggravated driving while intoxicated. His five-day trial in the death of James Gosselin, 54, began on Monday in Strafford County Superior Court.

Gosselin's longtime partner, Melinda Johnson, wept openly as she recalled State Troopers showing up in her Lafayette Street driveway late the night of April 15. She tearfully recalled that the troopers asked her questions about her boyfriend including whether he had any distinguishing tattoos.

Johnson said at that point she feared the worst, knowing he'd recently gotten some new tattoos.

The accident occurred around 8:35 p.m. when police say Douglas' Subaru Forester was traveling southbound near exit 15 when it lost control, struck the center concrete barrier, traveled off the right side of the roadway and rolled over several times.

Davis was said to have been ejected from the vehicle while Gosselin remained trapped inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither was wearing a seat belt.

Strafford County Attorney Tom Velardi said in opening arguments that Douglas was driving around 90 mph when the vehicle lost control.

Police said Douglas had a BAC of .13, more than one and a half times the legal limit; and had traces of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, in his blood.

Douglas' defense attorney, David Betancourt, argued in opening statements that it was Gosselin who was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.

Under questioning from Velardi, Johnson said her boyfriend rarely drove as he had a suspended license and a disability.

"Larry would have been the driver," she testified.

Johnson said the two men were best friends, socialized on a regular basis and enjoyed working on cars together.

Both Johnson and Davis cried during Johnson's emotional testimony on Monday.

The trial is expected to conclude by Friday.