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Rochester woman gets year in jail in plea deal in Unfonak's death

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Mandy Patch (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 pleaded guilty on Monday as part of a plea deal that will put her in county jail for a year.

Mandy Patch, 37, of Old Milton Road, Rochester, who was indicted on a felony riot charge in April, received two consecutive 12-month sentences, one for rioting and another for assaulting a woman inside Gary's Sports bar earlier the night of Unfonak's death. The second sentence will be suspending for two years after her first sentence is completed.

Eric Langlais, who is alleged to have delivered the fatal blow that killed Unfonak, has also been indicted on manslaughter and riot charges. His next hearing is later this month.

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, his "knockout" punch by Langlais' own admission, according to a police affidavit.

Meanwhile, the other local woman charged with felony riot, Laurie Henner, 41, of Whitebirch Lane, Farmington, has not officially accepted any deal yet, though one has been offered, Assistant County Attorney Sullivan said in May.

Henner and Patch, who are sisters, 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," court records state.

Unfonak suffered the fatal blow while attempting to get into a car and leave the tavern 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.

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 stated.

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 Henner is free on personal recognizance.

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