Alexandria man sentenced in 2013 death of child

An Alexandria man pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter on Monday in the 2013 death of a 13-month-old child, while a woman pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in the same case.

Donovan Dewayne Matthews initially had been charged with first-degree murder when he was arrested in late September 2013 by Alexandria police. He was indicted in December 2013 on a charge of second-degree murder.

Matthews was sentenced to 20 years at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence, but he was given credit for time served.

On Monday, Latasha Solitaire pleaded guilty to the accessory charge in the case. She was sentenced to pay a fine of $500 and court costs of $484.50 by Monday, or to serve 180 days in jail. She also was ordered to reimburse the public defender's office $250.

Also on Monday, Patrick Delaney Johnson pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal damage stemming from a May 2012 incident involving two Pineville police officers. Johnson had been indicted on charges of aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated criminal damage, attempted first-degree murder of a police officer and battery of a police officer in September 2012.

The other charges were dropped on Monday, and Johnson was sentenced to 14 months with credit for time served. He was ordered to pay court costs of $484.50, but also was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and to stay away from the Pineville officers. Johnson must begin making monthly payments of $208.33 by Jan. 1, 2016.

The court record said Johnson could be released on Monday, and the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office website no longer listed Johnson among its inmates by Monday afternoon.

Two cases were continued. The trial of Kelly Rennee Barton, charged with attempted second-degree murder and entry of an inhabited dwelling, was continued without date.

Barton was arrested in early July 2014 by Rapides Parish Sheriff's deputies after a disturbance call on McKeithen Drive in Alexandria. A man had been stabbed in the chest, and Barton later was found nearby hiding in a briar patch. She was indicted in August 2014.

The trial of David Burnette Kirk was continued to Nov. 30 over the prosecution's objection. Kirk is facing trial on one count of sexual battery, three counts of aggravated incest, three counts of forcible rape and five counts of second-degree cruelty to juveniles.