VIDALIA — The Natchez man accused in a April 2008 slaying in Vidalia will be back in court next month.

Ricardo K. Dukes, 30, of 6 Ray St., Natchez, was briefly in court Wednesday for a trial of motions in Seventh Judicial District Court.

No motions had been filed on Dukes’ behalf, however, and his attorney was unable to be present at the hearing, so the matter was rescheduled for a status hearing April 8.

Dukes is represented by the public defender’s office.

Assistant District Attorney Ann Siddall also told the court that the district attorney’s office is reviewing if the case should be sent to the grand jury.

Dukes is charged with manslaughter in connection with the April 2, 2008, stabbing death of 50-year-old Frank Holmes of Vidalia.

Late that night, Vidalia police responded to a call at 103A John Dale Drive, and when they arrived they discovered Holmes unconscious and without a pulse on the bathroom floor.

Holmes had been stabbed twice, and he had cut wounds on his hands and wrist.

Witnesses at the scene reportedly identified Dukes as the suspect.

After his arrest, Dukes reportedly told police that the stabbing was the result of a disagreement that erupted into a knife fight, according to police at the time of the incident.

The men had been drinking, and police said they found marijuana at the residence.