The state and defense team rested their cases Friday in the murder trial of Caysen Allison, accused of killing a classmate in 2022.
According to KWTC, jurors are expected to return Monday for closing arguments and deliberations.
As previously noted by CrimeOnline, it was stated by prosecutors that at the age of 18, Allison stabbed Jose Luis “Joe” Ramirez Jr., also 18, multiple times during a dispute involving various students on May 18, 2022, at Belton High School in Belton.
Police arrested Allison shortly after the incident and found a folding knife near his home, covered in what appeared to be
During the trial, the State interrogated Ramirez’s stepbrother, Josh Rios, on Thursday, regarding his initial failure to provide information to the police about how the altercation began. Rios was among the six students present in the restroom at the time of the incident.
Rios responded by saying he was overwhelmed with emotions as he waited for his brother to emerge from surgery.
“I was experiencing a lot of emotions; my brother was in the hospital going into surgery. My brother was stabbed and killed,” he said.
According to Rios’ testimony, the confrontation between Caysen and Ramirez stemmed from a girl, although he confessed that he lacked many specifics about the situation. He also chose not to disclose the identities of all the boys in the restroom, claiming he was not acquainted with everyone present.
The incident involved Allison, Ramirez, and four other boys inside the bathroom on the morning in question. Ramirez had previously confronted Allison during an after-prom party after accusing Allison of behaving aggressively toward a friend’s date. The pair agreed to fight at a later time but bumped into each other in the bathroom beforehand.
Ramirez allegedly said that if they were going to fight, they should go ahead and fight in the bathroom, according to witness testimony.
Witnesses said the bathroom brawl was not planned and that Allison said he did not want to fight before Ramirez threw a punch at him. Allison then stabbed Ramirez multiple times, including in the chest, arms and buttocks.
NBC 6 reports that Corbin Ovalle testified further about Ramirez, saying he knew Ramirez had a”capacity to commit violence.”
Ovalle said Ramirez once attacked him during a fight at a backyard pool party. He said Ramirez lifted him and slammed him to the ground before two others joined in, beating and holding him down. Ovalle said the assault broke his nose and possibly his ribs.
Belton Police Captain Richard Spurgeon, who patrolled the school during the incident, testified after Ovalle. Spurgeon said he helped lock down the campus after the stabbing and closed the west end of Tiger Drive on orders.
Spurgeon also testified about his interview with Rios, stating that he didn’t think Rios was “very forthcoming” during their initial interview.
Following objections from the state, the jury viewed body camera footage from Spurgeon, which included scenes inside the school on May 3, 2022, as well as his initial questioning of Rios later that day.
The defense then highlighted a timeline issue, noting that the school lockdown was lifted at 11:45 a.m., while Caysen did not receive medical care until after noon.
During cross-examination, the prosecution questioned Rios about how long he had been at the hospital prior to his interview with Captain Spurgeon. Rios told the jury he had been there for three to four hours and expressed, “My brother’s life was on my mind.”
Caysen Allison’s mother, Denise Allison, then testified, recounting taking two photos of him, which showed blood on his face and a swollen lip. She said she wanted to ensure the injuries were documented.
The defense then rested its case, and the State had no further questions.
If convicted, Allison could face life in prison.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photos: Joe Ramirez/Handout; Caysen Allison/Benton County PD]
