by | Published
19-year-old Julio Cesar Ramirez was sentenced to 45 years in prison today for the murder of 41-year-old Albert Pelayo Castoreno. Ramirez pleaded guilty to the crime when the case went to trial on January 29, 2024. The sentencing was delayed until today.
The incident occurred on August 7, 2023, when Mr. Castoreno, who was homeless, approached Ramirez's vehicle while Ramirez was waiting in a drive-thru of a restaurant on the West Side. Ramirez asked Castoreno to leave. After leaving the restaurant, Ramirez searched for Castoreno and found him in the parking lot of a shopping center. Ramirez attempted to run Castoreno down with his vehicle before fatally shooting him. Castoreno was struck in the head by one of the shots. The shooting was captured on camera from the VIA Kel-Lac Transit Center off U.S. Highway 90 West.
Ramirez stated that he felt disrespected by Castoreno's repeated requests for money at the time of the incident.
"Julio Ramirez needlessly took Albert Castoreno's life. At the same time, he ruined his own," said Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales, "My thanks to the trial team for their efforts to uphold justice and keep our community safe."
