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 convicted Allison of criminally negligent homicide for the 2022 stabbing death of a classmate, KCEN-TV reports. On May 22, the court heard arguments for adding a deadly weapon enhancement to Allison’s charges, which would extend his sentencing range to two to 10 years in prison instead of a maximum of two years in state jail.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, prosecutors said Allison, then 18, stabbed Jose Luis “Joe” Ramirez Jr., 18, multiple times during a fight involving several students on May 18, 2022, at Belton High School in Belton.
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 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.
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[Feature Photos: Joe Ramirez/Handout; Caysen Allison/Benton County PD]
