City resident accused of killing mother due back in court Wednesday for probable cause hearing

LACONIA — After missing several appearances in court, a city resident accused of strangling their mother to death went before a judge Tuesday morning in a sealed hearing about their mental capacity to stand trial.

Christopher Garon, 32, of Laconia, is facing a second-degree murder charge after allegedly killing his mother, 58-year-old Linda Dionne, last month. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide by strangulation. 

Laconia Police officers were dispatched to Old Prescott Road at about 1:40 p.m., on April 14, and found Dionne’s body. Officers also found Garon at the home, and took him into custody. Garon was charged with one count of second-degree murder for allegedly recklessly causing Dionne’s death with “extreme indifference to the value of human life,” according to information provided by the state Attorney General’s Office.

This was one of two homicide investigations that day in the city. Police also found John Anderson, 62, stabbed to death in his South Main Street apartment.

Investigators say the deaths are not related, and there is no threat to the public. Police have asked for the public’s assistance with video evidence. Nobody is yet in custody related to Anderson's death.

Garon was scheduled to have a formal reading of charges on April 15, which was delayed until the next day, and held virtually. Garon reportedly refused to appear in court, and Judge Elizabeth Paine entered a “no plea” on his behalf.

Garon was held in Belknap County Jail until he was moved to the State Prison psychiatric unit on April 23. He was due back in Laconia District Court for a competency hearing on May 26, but did not appear, due to what Prosecutor Nicholas Chong Yen called “logistical reasons.”

Tuesday morning, attorney Margaret Kettles of NH Public Defenders asked Judge Charles Greenhalgh to seal the competency hearing, which is common. The request was granted. Chong Yen and Ryan Olberding of the state Attorney General’s Office took no position.

Chong Yen said Garon appeared in person for the hearing, and a doctor gave testimony virtually.

Outside the courtroom, Chong Yen said the defense is entitled to have the hearing be confidential, and it is supported through state law.

“It is under Rule 51, with respect to the confidentiality of these proceedings, especially given the nature of the underlying content being medical information related,” Chong Yen said after the hearing. “As a result of that, they have to say they seal the proceedings, and in fact, the rule indicates that it is supposed to be locked down.”

Chong Yen said did not comment on the details of what was discussed during the roughly 10-minute hearing.

“The competency hearing was the only subject for the hearing, and why the defense attorney asked for the closed proceedings under the rule,” Chong Yen said.

A probable cause hearing in Garon's case is scheduled for 1 p.m., on Wednesday, June 10, in Laconia District Court.