Corpus Christi, Texas criminal defense lawyers represented Defendant charged with capital murder.





At around closing time on July 19, 2004, Pablo Castro exited the convenience store where he worked to empty the trash. A few minutes later, a girl entered the store and told Castro's co-worker that a bleeding man was lying in the parking lot. Castro's co-worker called 9-1-1 and went outside, only to find Castro covered in blood on the pavement. Castro died from the 29 stab wounds that he received at Ramirez's hands.





At trial, Ramirez's co-defendant Christina Chavez described the events leading up to the murder and those that transpired afterwards. Ramirez had spent a few days partying with Chavez and her girlfriend Angela Rodriguez. The group binged on substances including cocaine, Xanax, "psych meds," marijuana, and alcohol. Tr. Vol. 18, p. 130.1 When the group ran out of drugs and did not have any money to purchase more, they came up with a plan to "grab some people and not hurt them . . . just take their money and leave." Tr. Vol. 18, p. 133. They drove to the convenience store where Castro worked. Chavez stayed in the car and watched the others approach Castro. Ramirez began "wrestling around" with Castro and then was "just stabbing that man. He was stabbing him until he fell on his knees." Tr. Vol. 18, p. 137. After Castro fell to the ground, Chavez saw Rodriguez searching the victim's pockets. Other eyewitnesses testified that Ramirez also searched Castro's body for money. They only took $1.25. Ramirez and his friends then fled.

Ramirez v. Stephens (S.D. Tex. 2015)





"The group went to clean Castro's blood off before proceeding to attempt other robberies. Police officers soon engaged the group in an extensive chase that ended with Chavez and Rodriguez under arrest. Ramirez eluded the manhunt, but was finally apprehended four years later near the border with Mexico." Ramirez v. Stephens (S.D. Tex. 2015)



"The group went to clean Castro's blood off before proceeding to attempt other robberies. Police officers soon engaged the group in an extensive chase that ended with Chavez and Rodriguez under arrest. Ramirez eluded the manhunt, but was finally apprehended four years later near the border with Mexico." Ramirez v. Stephens (S.D. Tex. 2015)







The prosecution presented a highly incriminating case showing Ramirez's commission of the murder, and the subsequent attempts at aggravated robbery. The defense conceded that Ramirez killed Castro, but challenged the robbery element that elevated his crime to a capital offense. In particular, trial counsel disputed the eyewitness testimony that Ramirez had participated in searching Castro for money.3

The jury found Ramirez guilty of capital murder.

Mark Gonzalez asked the court to withdraw the death warrant after it had been issued by the Court at his own office's request.