Lucas v. State

The jury in this case heard disputed testimony concerning whether Adam Dwayne Lucas was armed with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument during the course of two robberies of pizza-delivery drivers. The jury was instructed regarding the effect of the rebuttable presumption as defined in § 13A-8-41(b), Ala. Code 1975. The jury found that Lucas was armed with a firearm during the robberies and thus returned verdicts of guilt for both counts of first-degree robbery. The jury therefore made a factual determination that Lucas was armed with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument during the…