A Bell County judge in Texas ruled Tuesday to increase Caysen Allison’s maximum sentence from two years to 10 years.
In April, a jury found Allison guilty of criminally negligent homicide for the 2022 stabbing death of a fellow student, reports KCEN-TV. On May 22, the court considered whether to apply a deadly weapon enhancement to Allison’s charges, potentially increasing his sentencing range to between two to 10 years in prison, instead of a cap of two years in state jail.
According to CrimeOnline, prosecutors stated that Allison, who was 18 at the time, stabbed 18-year-old Jose Luis “Joe” Ramirez Jr. several times during a conflict involving multiple students on May 18, 2022, at Belton High School in Belton.
The altercation involved Allison, Ramirez, and four other students inside the bathroom that morning. Before this, Ramirez had confronted Allison at an after-prom event, accusing him of acting aggressively towards a friend’s date. They had planned to resolve their dispute later but unexpectedly encountered each other in the bathroom sooner.
Ramirez said that if they were going to fight, they should go ahead and fight in the bathroom, according to witness testimony. Witnesses also 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.
Bell County court records indicated that Judge Wade Faulkner ruled a deadly weapon was used in the attack.
Sentencing has been scheduled for June 16. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photos: Joe Ramirez/Handout; Caysen Allison/Benton County PD]
