First Degree Murder Prosecution Results In 53 Year Sentence
June 14, 2017
Reno, Nevada
Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has announced that a murder prosecution has resulted in a 53 year prison sentence for a Reno man who previously pled guilty to the April, 2015 shooting death of Seth Lucas. The sentence ensures that the defendant will serve a minimum of 21 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.
Hector Manuel Padilla, 42, from Reno, was sentenced yesterday in Washoe County District Court on one count of First Degree Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon. Padilla pled guilty in April and was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder charge and a consecutive 3 years for the use of a deadly weapon for a combined maximum term of 53 years in prison.
The case against Padilla began on April 14, 2015 when the Reno Police Department (RPD) responded to a report of a shooting at a Crampton Street address. When officers arrived, they located the victim, 41 year old Seth Lucas. Lucas had a gunshot to his chest and died shortly after arriving at the hospital. RPD Robbery Homicide Detectives responded and began an investigation. Detectives determined that Padilla had shot Lucas during an argument in which Padilla confronted Lucas about allowing Padilla’s girlfriend to hide in the basement of a home in which Lucas was residing. Padilla had gone to the home the night prior looking for his girlfriend and was told she was not there. According to Padilla’s girlfriend she and Padilla had a violent relationship and on April 13, the two had an argument which led to the girlfriend jumping out of Padilla’s vehicle at a stop light. The girlfriend went to a friend’s nearby home on Crampton Street. The girlfriend hid in the basement where Lucas and his girlfriend were residing. The following day the girlfriend returned home to her apartment where Padilla was waiting. The girlfriend eventually told Padilla where she had been hiding which caused Padilla to immediately grab a sawed off .22 rifle and head to the home on Crampton Street. Upon arriving, Padilla confronted the homeowner and then went to the basement to confront Lucas. While in the basement, Padilla fired twice, shooting Lucas one time in the left side of his chest. Padilla immediately fled the Crampton Street home and was on the run from police for several months.
Detectives gathered further evidence which led to an arrest warrant for the murder of Seth Lucas. Padilla was located in Southern California where his own family turned him in to local police. He was extradited back to Washoe County in September, 2015 and this office began a prosecution for murder.
During sentencing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kossow argued that Padilla went to the home on Crampton Street with the intent to kill Seth Lucas based on his rage after hearing that Lucas participated in the hiding of his girlfriend. Mr. Lucas’ mother spoke at sentencing and recounted tearfully the loss she suffered at the murder of her only son.
