Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

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On June 1, a murder defendant rejected a plea offer.

Diquan Lucas is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 33-year-old Brian Tyrell Butler on Nov. 21, 2019, on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE. 

The prosecution’s offer would have allowed Lucas to plead down to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. The prosecution would have also requested a sentence of eight to nine-and-a-half years.

According to court documents, on the evening of the homicide, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the 200 Block of Ainger Place, SE, where they found Butler unconscious and not breathing. He had sustained four gunshot wounds. 

Lucas, 24, was arrested the following December.

DC Superior Court Judge Lee Milton scheduled the defendant’s next hearing for Aug. 2.

The case has yet to be indicted. Judge Lee asked the prosecution to give an update on their progress towards returning an indictment when they reconvene.