A Lancaster city man convicted of shooting and killing Alexander Rivera and injuring another at the 1722 Motor Lodge in East Lampeter Township on March, 19, 2020, has been sentenced to life in prison plus 67 years.

Joshua Luciano, 22 of the 200 block of South Ann Street, was sentenced Tuesday morning by Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright.

A jury convicted Luciano of criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, delivery of a controlled substance, and carrying a firearm without a license after a four-day retrial concluding on Dec. 15. Judge Wright found Luciano guilty of a severed charge of persons not to possess a firearm.

Judge Wright declared a mistrial after a Nov. trial when the jury deadlocked.

Defense counsel argued for punishment less than the mandatory life sentence, stating Luciano was being judged and sentenced regarding one of the worst days of his life. Luciano said “No your honor” when asked by Judge Wright if he had anything to say.

“Indeed, this may have been Luciano’s worst day,” responded First Assistant District Attorney Todd Brown, who prosecuted the case. “But it was without a doubt Mr. Rivera and his mother’s worst day.”

Brown continued to detail Luciano’s history of serious criminal conduct and that he committed the murder while he was on parole and illegally possessing a firearm without a license.

“This was not in the midst of a heated exchange,” Brown said. “The defendant felt disrespected and despite having time and distance still decided to avenge that perceived disrespect. He’s showed no regard for the law or human life.”

Brown argued for consecutive sentences, which Judge Wright imposed on seven of the eight charges.

“By my calculation, you’ve spent 87% of your time since turning 18 in jail,” Judge Wright said to the defendant after reading through his criminal history and before ordering sentence.

Brown presented evidence and testimony during trial that Luciano shot Alexander Rivera in the head and another victim in the stomach at the 1722 Motor Lodge in East Lampeter Township on March 19, 2020.

Brown argued that Luciano’s intent to kill was proven by his words and his actions.

“Luciano’s conduct was calculated and deliberate – he laid in wait, he lured them out and he fired multiple times with the intent to kill,” Brown said.

Testimony from witnesses revealed Luciano sold the victim and his friends marijuana. Luciano returned to the motel parking lot after a dispute arose over the marijuana sale and fired a .40 caliber handgun at the group while driving a blue Acura MDX.

Police interviews of witnesses and video footage showing the shooting indicated the shots came from both the driver and front passenger windows of the blue Acura.

Further interviews revealed Luciano was staying in the 200 block of East Liberty Street, where police located him and recovered the firearms used in the shooting.  The investigation revealed that Luciano’s DNA was on the firearm that killed Rivera, as well as the steering wheel of the Acura, which was recovered in the 1000 block of North Lime Street.

Co-defendant Tyler Gonzalez-Inthiphan’s case is pending.

East Lampeter Township Police Detective Christopher Jones filed charges, testified, and attended the entirety of trial.

First Deputy District Attorney Cody Wade assisted in the prosecution.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.