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Fate of Rochester man accused of manslaughter in DWI crash now with jury

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Accident reconstruction expert Wade Bartlett testifies on Monday as he explains what happened in moments immediately following the car's contact with a concrete barrier. (Rochester Voice photos)

DOVER - An accident reconstruction expert for the state on Monday sought to debunk a theory presented by the defense last week that argued fatal injuries to a Rochester man were sustained when the car he was driving turned onto the driver's side after hitting a barrier on the Spaulding Turnpike during a 2016 crash.

The weeklong manslaughter trial against Lawrence Douglas, 40, of Lafayette St., Rochester, wrapped up with closing arguments on Monday, but not before Wade Bartlett, the state's accident specialist, testified that the fatal injuries suffered by James Gosselin, 54, occurred when he was in the passenger seat and his best friend, Douglas, was driving.

Defendant James Gosselin, right, with defense attorney David Betancourt on Monday.

Douglas is facing manslaughter charges in the death of Gosselin, his best friend and next door neighbor. Douglas, who was found to have a BAC of .13 and marijuana in his system the night of the crash, could face up to 30 years if found guilty.

The jury began deliberations Monday afternoon following closing arguments.

Police say the two men were together in Douglas' Subaru Forester headed south near Exit 15 when the car struck a concrete barrier and rolled onto its passenger side, killing Gosselin.

The defense provided an alternative theory that weight from paint cans and painting equipment caused the vehicle to bounce of the barrier and flip onto the driver's side, proving Gosselin was driving.

Bartlett's testimony rebutted that on Monday saying that the car yawed prior to striking the barrier and flipped onto the passenger side after it made contact.

The differentiation is key as Gosselin's head came in contact with the pavement as it skidded across the highway pavement.

Neither man was wearing a seat belt.

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