City resident accused of killing mother to hear charges in court Sept. 11

LACONIA — Christopher Garon, accused of strangling his mother to death in April, will appear in Belknap Superior Court on Friday, Sept. 11, for the first time since being indicted on a pair of second-degree murder charges.

If convicted, the 33-year-old Laconia resident could face life in prison for the second-degree murder of Linda Dionne, on April 14.

According to the state Attorney General’s Office, Garon was indicted by the Grand Jury in connection with the death of his mother. He was indicted on one charge of second-degree murder for knowingly causing Dionne’s death by strangling her, as well as an alternate charge for recklessly causing Dionne’s death “under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life by strangling her.”

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, but instead means a Grand Jury found enough evidence of an alleged crime to bring it to trial.

Laconia Police responded to Old Prescott Road at 1:40 p.m., on April 14, to find Dionne dead inside her home. Garon was at the residence, and police took him into custody. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on April 15, and determined Dionne was strangled, and the manner of her death was homicide.

Charging documents in the case are sealed.

The case is being prosecuted by the state Attorney General’s Office, led by Attorneys Nicholas Chong Yen and Ryan Nicholas Olberding. Margaret Kettles and Erin Ferry, of NH Public Defenders, are representing Garon.

Garon was originally scheduled to have his charges read in Laconia District Court on April 15. That appearance was delayed and held virtually the next day. Garon refused to appear, and jail staff reportedly did not feel safe transporting him to court, due to his behavior. A “no plea” was entered on his behalf.

Garon was held in Belknap County Jail, then moved to the State Prison psychiatric unit on April 23. While he was due back in Laconia District Court for a competency hearing, he could not appear due to transportation issues. He appeared in person on June 2, and the hearing was sealed. The case was then elevated to Superior Court, and the indictments were handed down on Aug. 24.

A reading of charges was originally for Sept. 9. The court has since scheduled it for Friday, Sept. 11.

Garon will appear at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11, for the arraignment, and a dispositional conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, both in Belknap Superior Court.