A man facing a possible mandatory life sentence if convicted of second-degree murder instead confessed to manslaughter before a Caddo Parish district judge Monday, March 19, 2018.

James Taylor III, 20, of Vivian, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the March 30, 2016, slaying of James Carroll. Taylor pleaded before District Judge Brady O’Callaghan, where his trial for second-degree murder had been set to begin. The pleading to the lesser charge was accepted after consultation with the victim’s father.  Carroll, 24, was shot by Taylor at a Vivian apartment complex following a dispute. Taylor fled to Shreveport, where he was captured and arrested.

Taylor, who has a 2015 conviction for aggravated assault with a firearm, was sentenced to 35 years in prison at hard labor without the possibility of probation, parole or reduction of sentence.

Prosecutors were assistant district attorneys Monique Y. Metoyer and Ron Christopher Stamps. Taylor was defended by Stephen Glassell.