Insanity disposition agreed to in 2023 brutal beating death at Somersworth Walmart

Brian Roberge, right, during his initial video arraignment from Strafford County Jail; at left, Jan Van Tassell (Roberge/WMUR screenshot; Van Tassell/Courtesy)

CONCORD - Attorneys for the state have agreed to an insanity disposition in the case of a Somersworth man accused in a fatal beating in the parking lot of the city's Walmart in 2023.
Brian Roberge, 54, was indicted in the July 14, 2023, death of Jan Van Tassel in July of 2025. In the indictment he was charged with manslaughter, punishable by up to 30 years in state prison.
The night of the attack witnesses said they saw Roberge "beating the hell" out of 79-year-old Jan Van Tassel of Center Ossipee, according to a Somersworth Police affidavit filed soon after the arrest.
One eyewitness said they saw Roberge "repeatedly punch Van Tassel in the face and head with closed fists" during the late-night attack.
They added that "Roberge's entire body straddled the chest of Van Tassell, who was lying face-up on the ground." Roberge continued to pummel Van Tassell with both fists for several minutes," the affidavit stated.
The medical examiner found that his death was a result of asphyxia, due to compression of his upper torso.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter R Hinckley told The Rochester Voice today that the prosecution team agreed to the insanity disposition "based on the facts."
He added the during a March 10 hearing to finalize the insanity decision the Van Hassel family will get a chance to address Roberge and express their frustration during an almost three-year grief-filled journey toward some semblance of justice for Tassel, who was a beloved member of the community, well-known for his 40-plus years of service as a captain of the Center Ossipee Volunteer Fire Department.
He was also a longtime mechanic for Rines Garage in West Ossipee, where he became well-known as something of a mechanical MacGyver who could fix just about anything.
As a longtime volunteer firefighter Van Tassel was active in fund-raising for the department he cared for so much.
Upon retiring from the department, he was made an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Center Ossipee Fire Department, however, retirement couldn't keep him away and he remained a regular fixture volunteering to help repair equipment and just dropping in for regular visits.
Since Roberge's arrest he has had several competency evaluations, in July and November of 2023, and in March of last year.
In June defense lawyers filed their notice of pursuing an insanity defense.
The March 10 hearing will be overseen by Superior Court Judge Andrew B Livernois.
Within 40 days following the hearing, a determination will be made whether Roberge will be remanded to the state's secure psychiatric unit. If the court agrees, he will spend five years there and then either be transferred to a less secure facility or remain at the state's secure psychiatric unit as determined by a medical team.