LAPLACE — A LaPlace man could be released from jail as early as 2021, state authorities said, following his manslaughter conviction late last year.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections said Ali Batiste’s earliest release date is Nov. 24, 2021.

The 22-year-old was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in jail by Judge Madeline Jasmine Nov. 30, 2015. Jasmine ordered the defendant receive credit for time served since his arrest May 26, 2013.

St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Batiste following a shots-fired incident that occurred May 25, 2013, and resulted in the death of 16-year-old Kyrian Gray of Reserve.

St. John Sheriff Mike Tregre said he hopes Gray’s family members have some closure.

“I would like to thank the citizens that came forward, combined with the efforts of the investigators to bring closure to this case,” Tregre said. “They did a good job putting the case together. It was good police work.”

Tregre doesn’t mind Batiste, originally charged with second degree murder, was convicted of manslaughter as long as the victim’s family receives closure and feels justice has been served.

Deputies heard gunshots after responding to a residence on Amy Drive May 25, 2013, to clear a crowd from a large party. Several houses down deputies located Gray, who sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Following a two-day trial in November, Batiste offered his account of the incident and entered a plea of self-defense, District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut said.

Dinvaut said Batiste did not have a trial by jury and instead went through a judge’s trial.

“Judge Jasmine found him guilty of manslaughter without intent as opposed to second-degree murder,” Dinvaut said. “She also found that the defense did not prove a justifiable homicide or self defense theory of the case.”

When asked if she is satisfied with the sentencing, Dinvaut offered “no comment.”

At the time of Batiste’s arrest, 19-year-old Aaron Gregoire, of LaPlace, was arrested and booked with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.

Attempts to reach the District Attorney’s office seeking an update of Gregoire’s case were unsuccessful.