Man Accused Of Accidentally Killing Girlfriend Pleads Guilty, Given Probation

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – A Sacramento County man accused of accidentally killing his girlfriend has pleaded guilty and will be able to walk free.

Steven Lucas was arrested on New Year's Day. Deputies said Lucas had fired off a gun to ring in the New Year, only for the bullet to hit his 23-year-old girlfriend. She died later that day.

Wednesday morning, Lucas pleaded guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors have pushed for Lucas to get five years of probation for the charge. According to the DA's office, it's one of the rare instances where they have asked for a probation sentence in a homicide case.

"It's very rare that someone gets probation after a homicide," said Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Rod Norgaard. "But it just what it is in this unique instance."

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Lucas faces 14 years in state prison if he violates the conditions of his parole, the judge warned.

The 24-year-old Lucas and the woman reportedly had a toddler together.

Find out why the DA's office pushed for Lucas to get probation instead of prison time on the CBS13 News starting at 4 p.m.