Steven Baker Lucas
Murderer
Brian Kevin Rosenfeld
Murderer · USA · 1985
Brian Kevin Rosenfeld Brian Kevin Rosenfeld was sentenced to three concurrent l…
23 victims
Yahweh ben Yahweh
Murderer · USA · 1980
Yahweh ben Yahweh was born and legally named Hulon Mitchell Jr. (October 27, 19…
23 victims
Russell Ellwood
Murderer · USA · 1991
Russell Ellwood was a former taxi driver. Authorities suspected him of killing…
20 victims
Robert Martines Perez
Murderer · USA · 1994
Name: Robert Martines Perez · Other name used in proceedings: Robert Martinez P…
15 victims
Lyle & Erik Menendez
Murderers · USA · 1989
Joseph Lyle Menendez (born January 10, 1968) and Erik Galen Menendez (born Nove…
2 victims
Christopher Porco
Murderer · USA · 2004
Christopher Porco (born July 9, 1983) was convicted of killing his father and a…
1 victim
Cory Morris
Serial killer · USA · 2002
Cory Morris was a part-time karaoke disc jockey. Relatives had allowed Morris t…
5 victims
Madani Bouhouche
Murderer · Belgium · 1982
Madani “Dany” Bouhouche (June 14, 1952 - November 22, 2005) was a former Belgia…
2 victims
Erik Salvador Ayala
Murderer · USA · 2009
Erik Salvador Ayala opened fire indiscriminately outside an under-21 nightclub,…
2 victims
Graham Saunders Henry
Murderer · USA · 1986
Graham Saunders Henry was a Caucasian defendant. · Roy Estes was a Caucasian vi…
1 victim
- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Texas, USA
- Date of birth
- 1945
- Age at first offence
- 43
- Characteristics
- parricide, financial gain
- Victim profile
- Bette Lucas, 66 (his millionaire mother)
- Method of murder
- Beating with a brass candlestick
- Date(s) of murder
- June 5, 1988
- Years active
- 1988
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Imprisoned
Sentenced to 35 years in prison on November 22, 1994
Case record
Background
Steven Baker Lucas was convicted of beating his mother to death to preserve his inheritance.
The offence
A jury found Lucas guilty of first-degree murder in the beating death of his 66-year-old mother, Bette Baker Lucas. The death occurred at her home in Tyler on June 6, 1988.
The state claimed Lucas bludgeoned 66-year-old Bette Lucas to death—possibly with a brass candlestick—for money.
The defense argued that Bette Lucas accidentally fell over a second-story banister and down a flight of steps in her home after she and her son struggled over a 30-pound plus videocassette recorder. The defense conceded that Lucas needed money but argued that his financial situation was not as serious as the state claimed.
Investigation
The state introduced evidence showing Lucas, 49, was having financial troubles at the time of his mother’s death. The evidence stated he owed more than $500,000 to creditors and that his oil company was going out of business. The evidence also stated that Bette Lucas was refusing to lend her son anymore money and controlled his father’s estate.
Trial
Lucas’s first trial in 1991 ended with the jury deadlocked.
The case was retried for the June 5, 1988 murder of his millionaire mother.
A jury deliberated more than 22 hours before reaching the verdict on Tuesday against the defendant.
Sentencing
On November 22, 1994, a jury found Lucas guilty of first-degree murder. Lucas was sentenced to 35 years in prison and assessed the maximum fine of $10,000.
Outcome
Lucas was convicted of first-degree murder in the beating death of his 66-year-old mother, Bette Baker Lucas, at her home in Tyler.
Aftermath
The record states that Lucas had previously experienced a mistrial in 1991 after the jury deadlocked 8-4 to find him guilty of murder.
Spotted an error, or have more information about this case?