JENNINGS — The first of two defendants charged in the 2016 slaying of a Jennings man who was found dead in his East Spencer Street home will stand trial Sept. 18 in 31st Judicial District Court.

Thomas Segura, 30, of Jennings will be tried on a charge of second-degree murder in the October 2016 shooting death of Kayn Jontae Deshotel, 20.

Deshotel was found dead in the residence after police received a 911 call about a shooting in the 300 block of East Spencer Street. Police found Deshotel with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.

He was taken to Jennings American Legion Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Segura, who was initially charged with first-degree murder, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. District Attorney Michael Cassidy said the facts of the case better fit a second-degree murder charge.

The case against a second suspect, Davon Warren, has not preceded forwarded because he is being held in a Lafayette Parish jail on unrelated drug and weapons charges stemming from a traffic stop in Scott shortly after the murder, Cassidy said.

An arrest warrant was issued Oct. 28, but was never served because Warren is being held in a Lafayette Parish jail, he said.

Segura also remains in jail awaiting trial. He faces life in prison if he’s convicted of second-degree murder.

Segura is being represented by attorney Tim Cassidy.

Special to the American Press