A man charged in connection with a 2021 shooting death pleaded guilty to manslaughter early Monday, March 10, 2025, just as his trial was set to begin in Caddo District Court.
Datavious Simmons, 23, immediately was sentenced to 18 years at hard labor by District Judge Ramona Emanuel.
On June 26, 2021, Simmons was the passenger in a car from which shots were fired at victim Keshun Cole at the intersection of Union Avenue and 62nd Street, in Cedar Grove. One of the rounds struck the 20-year-old Cole. He died at Ochsner LSU Health hospital shortly after. The driver of the car named Simmons as the shooter and now is serving 10 years for manslaughter for his role in the slaying.
Simmons was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Bill Edwards and Kodie K. Smith. He was defended by Joey Hendrix.
The case was docket No. 383863.
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