Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington announced the disposition of a homicide and armed robbery case on March 23.

Dearion Latchie, 20 of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty in the 10th Judicial District Court to two counts of manslaughter, and one count each of attempted second degree murder and armed robbery. He was sentenced to 29 years of incarceration at hard labor for each charge. The sentences will run concurrently.

The matter was previously scheduled for a jury trial on March 27. However, after pre- trial motions were conducted, Latchie agreed to plead guilty to the charges.

The guilty pleas are the result of a January 2020 Natchitoches robbery and homicides of victims Larry Batiste and Hiram Phillips, Jr. and the attempted homicide of the victim.

Judge Desiree Dyess presided over the case. Special Assistant Clifford R. Strider, III and Assistant District Attorney R. Bray Williams prosecuted the case.