Under a plea agreement, a 23-year-old White Bear Lake woman will avoid a second-degree unintentional murder charge in connection with the death of a man found tied and gagged with a rag in a bathroom in southern Dakota County last July.

Ryann Elizabeth Smith, was originally charged with second-degree unintentional murder in the death of Chris Lafontaine, 55, at his home on July 2, 2021 in Greenvale Township, in southern Dakota County.

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Under the deal, the second-degree unintentional murder charge (aiding and abetting) against Smith will be dropped with her guilty plea on the assault charge.