Kenneth Ray Willis, charged with second-degree murder in connection with the 2007 slaying of his month-old son, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday, May 24, 2019, in Judge Charles Tutt’s courtroom in Caddo District Court.

Made with the knowledge and assent of the victim’s family, the plea agreement allows Willis, 35, to avoid the mandatory life sentence he would have received had he been convicted as charged. Instead, his plea calls for 35 years in prison.

The plea occurred after the state had presented its final witness.

Prosecutors were Assistant District Attorneys Ron Stamps, Bill Edwards, Britney Green and Sam Crichton. Willis was defended by Mary Harried and Michael Enright.