A Kentucky woman, aged 33, has been sentenced to two life terms for the murder of her two young sons in their family home last year. Tiffanie Lucas claimed she was “manipulated through Facebook” into committing the heinous act. The sentence was handed down by Bullitt Circuit Court Judge Rodney D. Burress on Friday, with one life term for each child, Maurice “Peanut” Baker Jr., 6, and Jayden Howard, 9.
Before the sentencing, several family members gave victim impact statements. Maurice Baker Sr., the father of Maurice Jr., expressed his grief and frustration over the loss of his son. He told the court that Lucas had always kept his son away from him, despite his numerous pleas to spend time with the boy. He also revealed that he had made several attempts to gain custody of his son.
Regina Rowan, the grandmother of Jayden, also addressed the court. She expressed her deep sorrow and pain over the loss of her grandson. She spoke directly to Lucas, expressing her wish for Lucas to experience the same suffering she was going through.
In an attempt to demonstrate Lucas’ mental instability at the time of the murders, her defense attorney presented a video from a neighbor’s doorbell camera. In the video, Lucas can be heard expressing her need for support and family. This footage was taken just a day before the murders.
Judge Burress also spoke before delivering the sentence. He expressed his horror at the thought of the children’s final moments, witnessing their mother with a gun. He described the terror the second child must have felt after hearing the gun discharge for the first time.
Lucas will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 20 years. However, prosecutors believe the likelihood of her release after only two decades is extremely low.
Lucas was accused of firing four shots within 30 seconds, claiming it was an accident and that she was manipulated online into committing the act. On the morning of the murders, a neighboring couple found Lucas lying in their driveway. The man called 911 after discovering the horrifying scene inside Lucas’ home.
Following her arrest, Lucas reportedly expressed regret and claimed she would never have committed such an act unless manipulated.