Jury selection date set for city resident accused of killing own mother

LACONIA — Jury selection has been set for April 5, in the trial of Christopher Garon, accused of strangling his mother to death. The trial will happen almost a year after he was charged in the homicide.

Garon, 33, of Laconia, is facing two charges of second-degree murder, for causing the death of his 58-year-old mother Linda Dionne. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Garon’s attorneys notified the court last month they are pursuing an insanity defense.

Garon is represented by Margaret Kettles and Erin Ferry, of NH Public Defenders, who appeared on his behalf Thursday. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case, and led by attorneys Nicholas Chong Yen and Ryan Olberding.

The defense submitted a request, on Sept. 23, to waive Garon’s appearance, which was granted.

After a brief conference in the judge’s chambers with both the defense and prosecution, Judge Mark Attorri on Thursday said the case will go to trial.

“Madam Clerk is going to issue a notice scheduling the case for trial,” Attorri said. “We’ll put it down next spring, as the existing calendar allows, and judge availability permits.”

Attorri said counsel will confer, and within 14 days they’ll submit a structuring order for the filing notices of defense and expert disclosures, as well as any other deadlines. Kettles recommended waiving Garon’s right to a speedy trial.

“We will respect that,” Attorri said.

Laconia Police responded to Old Prescott Road on the afternoon of April 14, and found Dionne dead inside her home. Garon was taken into police custody.

The state Chief Medical Examiner’s Office determined, on April 15, her cause of death was homicide by strangulation.

Garon was scheduled to appear in Laconia District Court, which was canceled several times. He refused to appear for his April 15 reading of charges. A “no plea” was entered on his behalf.

He was held in Belknap County Jail, then moved to the State Prison psychiatric unit on April 23.

Transportation issues caused another snag, and Garon didn’t appear for a competency hearing on May 26. It was rescheduled for June 2, and Garon appeared, and the hearing was sealed. His defense team waived his right to a probable cause hearing, and the case was elevated to Superior Court.

Garon was indicted by the Belknap County Grand Jury on Aug. 24, on charges of second-degree murder for knowingly causing Dionne’s death by strangling her. A second charge is for second-degree murder 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. Rather, it is a finding by a Grand Jury enough evidence of an alleged crime exists to bring the case to trial.

The defense filed a notice with the court, on Sept. 4, about pursuing an insanity defense.

Kettles declined to comment following Thursday’s hearing.

Chong Yen also declined to talk about the case, but confirmed a jury selection date was set for April 5, and the trial will likely come in the days following.

Garon is being held in the State Prison psychiatric unit pending trial.