Capital murder trial underwayFree Access


Christelle Troell

Staff Writer

The capital murder trial of Shawn Ruiz Puente and Jenevieve Ramos, charged in the death of San Antonio Police Officer Robert Deckard, got underway Tuesday, March 6, at the Atascosa County Courthouse in Jourdanton.

The case is one of six pending murder cases in the county. District Attorney Audrey Louis has stated one of her goals is to bring these older cases to trial.

The Honorable Donna S. Rayes, 81st District Judge, is presiding. After the jury was seated, Judge Rayes gave instructions to the jury, explaining the processes of the trial along with the jury’s duties and procedures.

The pair are accused of robbing a Food Mart in San Antonio. Officer Deckard was shot during a highway chase that crossed over the Atascosa County line. He passed away after 13 days in intensive care at San Antonio Military Medical Center.

District Attorney Louis read the charges against Puente.

Security cameras at the Food Mart revealed the vehicle used in the robbery.  Officer Deckard spotted the matching vehicle and gave chase. Other officers joined the chase which reached speeds of 100 m.p.h

Shots were fired from the back window of the vehicle striking one of the patrol cars. A barrage of bullets hit another patrol car. The officer warned Deckard of the gunfire. Deckard was hit and swerved off the road.

State Troopers from Poth assisted, waiting at the highway in case the subjects doubled back to San Antonio. All available lawmen came to the area to assist.

After the subjects abandoned their vehicle, a canine was used in the search. Police apprehended the subjects and recovered guns and body armor.

The court will ask for a guilty verdict.

During the rebuttal, it was noted that Shawn’s life had spiraled out of control, that he was addicted to drugs and would do whatever it took to get more drugs. He felt invincible. It was termed a complex case.

Judge Rayes then swore in those who were to testify in the case.

First to testify was a SAPD patrol officer. She was asked to give a general description of the uniforms and vehicles the officers use as well as the protective gear they wear.

She described the standard issue weapons they receive and additional weapons after receiving extra training.

She was also asked to describe the forms of communication used by the officers.

The first witness called was the owner of the gas station on San Pedro which was robbed on Dec. 7, 2013. The owner stated he and an employee were preparing to close the station just before midnight when a guy with a gun said “Don’t laugh. I’ll shoot you,” and ordered them to lay down on the floor.

The man went behind the counter and took about $285 in cash, cigarettes and lottery tickets, the owner recounted.

Asked if there was a second person, he stated someone was holding the door and he heard a female voice. He could not see her or the vehicle they left in while on the floor.

He immediately called 911 and showed police the security video.  It was established that the video contains no audio and the the video cannot be altered in any way. The jury and attorneys then viewed the video on a large screen in the courtroom.

The video shows the front of the store from several angles and showed the vehicle in question.

The store owner, a family man, stated that he feared for his life.

The trial is expected to last two to four weeks.

Capital murder trial underway

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