VIDALIA — The trial date for a Vidalia man accused of murder has been scratched off the Seventh Judicial District Court calendar after he pleaded guilty to lesser charge two weeks ago.

Ricardo Dukes was to stand trial today for the stabbing death of Frank Holmes, 50. Dukes pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge Jan. 22, Assistant District Attorney Ann Siddall said Monday.

First charged with second-degree murder, Dukes initially rejected a plea bargain offered by the DA’s office in December.

Dukes’ sentence hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. March 5. He faces a maximum 40-year sentence without benefits, Siddall said.

“This means he cannot be probated or have a suspension,” Siddall said.

Louisiana Department of Corrections officers will conduct a pre-sentencing investigation, and the family of Holmes will have an opportunity to speak on the victim’s behalf at the sentence hearing.

“Some of the evidence that would have been presented at trial will be presented to court at that time,” Siddall said.

The Dukes case began April 2, 2008, when emergency responders found Holmes unconscious and with no pulse on the bathroom floor of 103A John Dale Drive. He had two stab wounds to his chest.

Police at the time said witnesses at the scene identified Dukes as the suspect.

The stabbing was reportedly the result of an argument that escalated following an evening of otherwise friendly drinking.