Man given life sentence in beating case

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Morgan County man accused of beating an elderly couple was sentenced to life in prison Friday afternoon.
Adam Dewayne Lucas, 23, of 205 Britwood Drive in Decatur, pled guilty to first-degree burglary in January for the 2007 beating and robbery of an elderly couple in their county home.
Circuit Judge Terry Dempsey Friday sentenced Lucas to life in prison.
Before the sentencing was imposed, the court heard testimony from Lucas and the victims in the case.
"I'd like to apologize for my actions," Lucas said. "It does not excuse my actions. I know there is a price to pay. I'm willing to accept the responsibility for these actions."
Lucas also asked for forgiveness from the victims and their family for the pain and suffering he caused.
"I just ask that you forgive me in your heart," Lucas said.
The victims and family told Lucas that they had to forgive him, but they would never forget what happened to them.
The statements from the victims told how the male victim had to undergo several reconstructive surgeries as a result of the attack, and the pain he caused for the family.
"You did make us a closer family," a victim said. "So, I have to thank you for that."
District Attorney Joey Rushing asked the court for the maximum sentence under the law, which was life in prison.
Dempsey granted that request by sentencing Lucas to life in prison to run consecutive with a 20 year and 18 year sentences he is currently serving for similar crimes.
"Crimes like this represent the worst of humanity," Dempsey said. "Everyone is a victim in these crimes."
Dempsey said to run the sentence concurrent with the current sentence Lucas is already serving would be like letting him get a way with this crime.
"There is no rationale in running the sentences concurrent," Dempsey said. "You'd be getting a free pass if I did."