EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The final witnesses took the stand on Tuesday in the murder trial of the El Paso man accused of killing his aunt and girlfriend over Christmas weekend 2022.

During Tuesday’s trial, jurors heard directly from the defendant Gabriel Ramirez and his oldest sister.

Defense attorneys called Ramirez to testify about what happened the night his aunt, Irma Ramirez, and girlfriend, Kathia Rosales, died.

Paulina Carr reports on Final witnesses testify in Gabriel Ramirez murder trial (Credit: KFOX14)

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Ramirez recounted Christmas Eve, saying he and Rosales had been drinking and doing meth for a couple of days before the incident. He told jurors Rosales was the one who stabbed his aunt Irma Ramirez while he was in the bedroom. Ramirez also said Rosales told him on three separate occasions that, to repent for their sins, he had to kill everyone in the house.

Ramirez testified that Rosales was the one who placed the knife on herself, grabbing Ramirez’s hands and stabbing her abdomen.

Prosecutors challenged that account, questioning the probability of Rosales forcing the stabbing by highlighting Ramirez’s much larger size compared to Rosales and arguing he could have stopped it.

Ramirez also claimed Rosales told him to “finish the job,” and he proceeded to cut his wrists. He said Rosales then rushed him to leave the house and head to Scenic Drive to “bleed out” together.

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Gabriel claimed they went to Scenic Drive, but it was too crowded, and he couldn’t find parking therefor he drove them to an abandoned building on Campbell St. Ramirez told the jury he cut his throat while he was in the car with Rosales so he could die beside her. That is where Ramirez claimed he lost consciousness.

Ramirez said he woke up hours later thirsty and drove to a neighborhood to drink from a water hose.

Meanwhile, both sides also questioned the exact wording in the 911 call made by Irma Ramirez. The defense argued Irma Ramirez was asking Gabriel Ramirez for help, while prosecutors said the call was Irma Ramirez defending herself from him.

Gabriel Ramirez’s oldest sister also testified about his childhood and the depression he went through after their father died.

Both state prosecutors and the defense rested their cases, and the trial adjourned early for the day. The judge is expected to deliver a final verdict tomorrow.

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