Homicide Defendant Sentenced to Eight Years

By Adriana Marroquin - December 20, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Dec. 19, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee sentenced a homicide defendant to eight years for his involvement in a fatal shooting in 2019. 

Diquan Lucas, 27, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, first-degree burglary while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Brian Butler. The incident occurred on Nov. 21, 2019, on the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE. 

On March 11, 2022, Lucas accepted a deal which required him to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. Parties agreed on an eight year sentence. 

Various of Butler’s family members gave impact statements, all of them sharing the same sentiment, the agreed upon eight year sentence is not enough for Lucas’ actions. 

Butler’s niece stated “Do you know how it feels to be robbed of a loved one?”, adding that Butler had helped raise her and became her paternal figure following her father’s passing. According to his niece, Butler was enabled her to “transform from a caterpillar to a butterfly.” 

His mom added “I feel that eight years is not enough, cause I can still feel the pain,” adding “[Lucas] needs to understand that life is not a game.” 

All family members deemed Butler a “humble, caring, loving individual,” who reportedly left behind nine children. All of whom two of his kids’ mothers say, continue to struggle with the loss of their father. One of them stated her kids think Butler died from an illness, because she doesn’t want them to know he was senselessly killed. 

Butler’s sister stated, “Today, every day, we live with the fact that my brother is gone and is never coming back,” and “to give Lucas eight years is insane. It’s crazy.” She added “he tortured me, your honor.” 

Kevin Irving, Lucas’ defense attorney, stated Lucas heard Butler’s family, sees their pain, and takes it to the heart. According to Irving, Lucas accepted the plea deal to prevent the family from having to deal with a trial. 

Irving requested Lucas be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows defendants, who committed a crime if they were younger than age 25, to have their convictions set aside. Irving argued Lucas deserves another opportunity. 

Prosecutors opposed the YRA sentencing, citing the nature of the crime. They argued the only reason they agreed to the eight year sentence is because there is no surveillance footage that depicts the incident, furthermore,Lucas claimed self-defense, and Butler had a previous conviction for carrying a pistol without a license. 

Prosecutors added they’re concerned about Lucas’ arrest history and previous convictions, which include juvenile incidents that were not discussed in open court. 

“You can’t just kill someone, claim self defense, and get away with it,” exclaimed the prosecutor, adding, “There are consequences to your actions.” 

In his statement to the court, Lucas apologized for the pain he inflicted on Butler’s family, stating “I know how it feels to lose someone you love,” adding “what you don’t see in the open is that I sat in jail for four years, and I lost so many people.” 

Before imposing his sentence, Judge Lee told Lucas, “if you’re really remorseful, you’ll think of what to do to not put yourself in this situation again, and make another family deal with the pain the [Butler] family is dealing with.” 

Judge Lee denied the request for the sentence to be categorized as a YRA sentence, stating “You are not a kid anymore.” 

Judge Lee sentenced Lucas to eight years incarceration, five years of supervised release, and required him to register as a gun offender once he’s released from prison. 

No further dates were set in this matter.