ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis teen was sentenced Monday to three years in prison for his role in the death of a 20-year-old man in late 2023.

Tabari Freeman, 18, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Calvin Kelly, who was found in the 4200 block of Shreve Avenue after exchanging gunfire with Kelly and another man.

Freeman was 16 at the time. He was incarcerated at the city's juvenile detention center on Enright Avenue but escaped for a brief time in February 2024. He was later returned to the jail.

Freeman was set to face trial last month on charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and assault.

His lawyer, Robert Taaffe, said they planned to argue that Freeman acted in self-defense.

"These guys pointed their weapons first," Taaffe said.

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Freeman pleaded guilty Monday in an agreement with prosecutors to second-degree involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.

In court, Freeman apologized for his crimes. Kelly's brother, grandmother and mother said they were still grieving and felt that three years was not enough time, according to a news release from the 22nd Judicial Circuit.

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