The murder trial against Caysen Allison resumed Thursday with the cross-examination of a slain Texas teen’s brother.
As previously mentioned by CrimeOnline, it was stated by prosecutors that when Allison was 18 years old, he stabbed Jose Luis “Joe” Ramirez Jr., also 18, multiple times during a fight involving several students on May 18, 2022, at Belton High School in Belton.
Following the incident, Allison was arrested by the police and a folding knife, believed to be covered in blood, was discovered at his residence. He has since been charged with murder.
On Wednesday, Ramirez’s stepbrother, Josh Rios, testified that the altercation between Allison and Ramirez stemmed from a disagreement over a girl at an after-prom party. Rios mentioned that Allison’s inappropriate behavior towards a friend’s date led to Ramirez intervening in the situation. They had allegedly planned to resolve their issues in a different location.
During cross-examination Thursday, the defense questioned Rios’ testimony that Allison and Ramirez got into an altercation in the school parking lot before the stabbing. Rios claimed that Ramirez informed him about a fight with Allison in the parking lot that morning. However, the footage failed to show any evidence of that altercation.
KWTX reports that the defense also questioned Rios on his brother’s arrest. Rios testified that he was aware Ramirez had been arrested and that Ramirez had gotten into a fight with a 17-year-old.
The defense then questioned Rios about the events in the bathroom, asking, “Can you assert that Caysen had no reason to be afraid?”
“I do not believe he was afraid. He could have left the bathroom when he saw us, if he was afraid,” Rios said.
Rios acknowledged that he didn’t attempt to break up the fight once it started and admitted that he took a swing at Allison’s friend, who had accompanied him into the bathroom.
On Tuesday, former Belton High School students, Tito Shamel and Angel Morillo testified. They were two of the six people, including Allison and Ramirez, inside the restroom when the fight began.
Shamel testified that he had a close friendship with Ramirez and saw the confrontation as it unfolded in the restroom. He told the court he recorded part of the incident on his phone.
Jurors viewed the video footage in court on Tuesday, according to KWTX.
Shamel said the video showed Ramirez throwing a punch at Allison. He said the footage then showed Allison pulling out a knife before a loud scream is heard and the video shuts off.
Reina Barber, a friend of Allison and acquaintance of Ramirez, also testified. She said she attempted to defuse the situation by calming Ramirez shortly before the fight began.
Barber said Ramirez and his friends had a reputation for getting into fights, adding that Ramirez often wanted his fights filmed. Another witness, however, Identified as Ramirez’s friend, Joshua Grimes,testified Wednesday that Ramirez wasn’t known to fight.
Dr. Grant Hendon from the Dallas County Forensic Sciences Office testified Thursday that Ramirez had four stab wounds following the fight. The knife damaged Ramirez’s left lung, heart, and coronary arteries. He also had stab wounds on his buttocks and left arm.
Allison has pleaded not guilty and has been on house arrest since 2022. An additional charge was filed against him a few days after the stabbing, after he “allegedly assaulted a family member.”
If convicted, he could face life behind bars.
The trial continues. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photos: Joe Ramirez/Handout; Caysen Allison/Benton County PD]
