Brade
A Bell County jury has delivered its verdict in the case of **CAYSEN ALLISON**, the Texas high school student accused of fatally stabbing his classmate in 2022. The jury found **ALLISON** not guilty of murder but convicted him of criminally negligent homicide in the death of **JOE RAMIREZ JR.** at Belton High School in May 2022. The decision was announced on Tuesday after the jury was unable to reach a verdict on Monday and deliberations were extended.
**ALLISON**, who had been free on bond since July 2022, will await his sentencing hearing scheduled for June 16. He faces a potential sentence ranging from six months to two years in a state prison, along with a possible fine of up to $10,000.
According to court proceedings, the fatal incident occurred during an altercation in the school’s restroom. An arrest warrant affidavit obtained by KWTX revealed that **ALLISON** admitted to stabbing **RAMIREZ JR.** during the confrontation. Witnesses testified that **RAMIREZ JR.** and a group of his friends were involved in the altercation, and **ALLISON** claimed he acted in self-defense after being attacked.
Video evidence presented during the trial showed **ALLISON** attempting to leave the scene after the incident, with blood covering his shoes. **ALLISON** reportedly told investigators the type of knife he used and where he disposed of it following the stabbing.
**RAMIREZ JR.**, described as a kind and loving individual by his family, sustained multiple stab wounds to his chest, back, leg, and arm. He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries. A GoFundMe page was created to support his family in the wake of his death.
The trial also revealed that **ALLISON** had sent a text message to a friend, **CHRIS BITTLE**, prior to the incident, asking for a gun. **BITTLE** testified that there was no plan for a fight at school but acknowledged that **ALLISON** confronted **RAMIREZ JR.** and his friends in the restroom. **BITTLE** claimed he attempted to intervene during the altercation but was struck by one of **RAMIREZ JR.**’s friends.
**MADISON BARNES**, a former girlfriend of **RAMIREZ JR.** and close friend of **ALLISON**, testified that **ALLISON** had made violent threats against **RAMIREZ JR.** before the stabbing. She stated that **ALLISON** had expressed a desire to put **RAMIREZ JR.** on life support and described gruesome details of his intentions.
**ALLISON**’s defense attorney, **ZACHARY BOYD**, expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, acknowledging the complexities of the case. **BOYD** stated, “There is no happy ending to this. The world is not black and white but shades of gray.”
The case has drawn comparisons to other instances of youth violence, including the recent fatal stabbing of **AUSTIN METCALF**, a high school track star in Frisco, Texas. **KARMELO ANTHONY**, the 17-year-old accused in **METCALF**’s death, was recently released on bond under similar conditions.
The verdict and sentencing hearing will mark the conclusion of a case that has gripped the community and sparked discussions about school safety, youth violence, and the legal system’s handling of such incidents.
