Two Men Plead "No Contest" To Felony Charges In Attack On Two Gay Men Near LB's Gay/Lesbian Center

In a release, the L.A. County District Attorney's office says both defendants received state prison terms although one will serve his sentence in L.A. County jail.

Deputy District Attorney Robert Hight said Marquise Lucas, 19, and Sierus Dunbar, 28, both pleaded no contest to one count each of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. Lucas also admitted a hate crime allegation and a great bodily injury allegation. Long Beach Superior Court Judge Gary Ferrari sentenced him to six years in state prison.

Dunbar, who admitted to a prior felony grand theft conviction, was sentenced to four years in prison, but the term will be served in a county jail.

On Oct. 31, 2011, two gay men were leaving the Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach when they were confronted by the defendants. Lucas harassed the victims by using gay slurs, Hight said.

Scared by the two defendants, one of the victims tried to take a picture on his cell phone of Lucas and Dunbar. While the victim attempted to take the picture, Lucas struck him in the face and kicked him while he was on the ground. He also stomped on the man's hand as the victim reached out for his cell phone.

When the other victim rushed to the aid of his friend, Dunbar hit the second man, knocking him out.

Both of the victims suffered moderate injuries. One had a cut to his left eyebrow, a bruised hip and blunt trauma to his hand. The other victim sustained injuries to his mouth and had some damaged teeth.

Both defendants fled the scene but were later arrested by Long Beach Police Department officers.

LBReport.com was first to report that LBPD was investigating the attack as a possible hate crime and followed-up with detailed coverage by Community Correspondent Joe Mello.