Sentencing in Unfonak death case set for November

Bang N Jane drummer Jim Unfonak of Rochester (Courtesy); inset Eric Langlais in court during trial (Rochester Voice file photo)

DOVER - Eric Langlais, 42, was found guilty in the death of Jim Unfonak on Sept. 6 after a jury deliberated about four hours before handing down the verdict.

Unfonak was mortally wounded after Langlais punched him in the face in the parking lot of Gary's Sports Bar 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 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. Doctors confirmed he had suffered severe brain damage, and he was taken off life support the following day.

Prosecutors fought for a manslaughter conviction but the jury was given the option of finding Langlais guilty of a lesser charge, negligent homicide.

Negligent homicide is a Class B felony punishable by three and a half to seven years, while Langlais could've been sentenced up to 30 years on a manslaughter conviction

The difference between the two can best be described as manslaughter is when someone causes the death of another, while negligent homicide is when they cause the death of another negligently.

The sentencing is set for Nov. 1 at 2:30 p.m.