Opening statements begin for 2022 Christmas capital murder trial

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- After a jury was selected Friday, opening statements started Monday in a capital murder trial for a man accused of killing his aunt and girlfriend on Christmas in 2022.

Police said both alleged murders happened in separate locations.

That day, El Paso Police went to a house on Truman Avenue in Central El Paso after a woman told 911 she was stabbed.

Authorities found 79-year-old Irma Ramirez with stab wounds all over her body. She went to the hospital and later died.

Crimes Against Persons investigated and secured an arrest warrant for Gabriel Antonio Ramirez. They found him bleeding from cuts to his neck and wrists in the front yard of a house. He was taken to a hospital nearby for treatment.

During the investigation, detectives discovered he allegedly stole his aunt's SUV from the murder scene and drove to West El Paso. Investigators said a witness saw Ramirez covered in blood and using a garden hose.

In his aunt's SUV, detectives found the body of 24-year-old Kathia Rosales, Ramirez' girlfriend.

Ramirez was released from the hospital Dec. 31, 2022, and arrested. He was charged with capital murder on a $1.5 million bond.