Man found guilty in drummer's death to seek work release from prison

Erik Langais looks back toward the courtroom gallery after his Nov. 1 sentencing. (Rochester Voice file photo)

DOVER - The Barnstead man who killed Bang N Jane drummer Jim Unfonak will be in Strafford County Superior Court on Monday morning to petition the state to allow him work release just 10 months after being sentenced to three and a half to seven years for negligent homicide last November.

Eric Langlais will go before Judge Mark E. Howard, the same judge who sentenced him, at 9:30 a.m.

Deputy County Attorney Tim Sullivan will represent the state. No representation was listed for Langlais, who is currently serving his sentence at the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord.

Bang N Jane drummer Jim Unfonak (Courtesy photo)

The sentence handed down by Howard on Nov. 1 meant that Langlais would be eligible for parole in about 21 months due to his having served 628 days of pretrial credit prior o sentencing.

Unfonak was mortally wounded after Langlais punched him in the face in the parking lot of the now-closed Gary's Sports Bar in Rochester early the morning of Jan. 31, 2016. After being struck under the chin the longtime Bang N Jane drummer fell to the ground hitting his head heavily on the packed snow and ice.

He was taken first to Frisbie Memorial Hospital and then to Maine Medical Center in Portland, but never regained consciousness and was taken off life support the following day.

Unfonak's longtime girlfriend, Kelsey Mountain, said today she was livid that Langlais could possibly walk out of prison before at least completing his minimum sentence.

"I think his initial sentence was ridiculous and now he's able to request work release before he's even completed the minimum sentence," Mountain said. "I'm glad the prosecutors have objections and I hope the judge and sentencing board will also.

"He doesn't deserve to be able to walk out of that prison until he's done at least three and a half years, which isn't nearly enough."