Prosecutor Presents Damning Evidence Against Stripes Stabbing Murder Defendant

SAN ANGELO, TX – On Tuesday morning, the D.A.'s office began presenting evidence in the case against Roberto Arambula. Arambula is facing a murder charge after he allegedly fatally stabbed Rhyheme Talton at the Stripes Convenience Store on S. Bryant Blvd. early last year.

The day began with D.A. Allison Palmer reading the grand jury indictment and offering her opening statement. She reminded the jury they would absorb a large amount of evidence that they would use to decide if Arambula was legally justified in his actions.

"As the jury, you set the community's standards," said Palmer.

The state then began presenting its case by calling four witnesses to the stand, including a 9-1-1 dispatch supervisor who explained how emergency calls are recorded and the manager in charge of the Stripes where the incident occurred.

As the store's former manager testified about what she saw that night, the defense attorney focused heavily on the number of camera angles visible with the security system. 

The manager confirmed that approximately 11 cameras covered the inside and outside the store. The prosecution entered into evidence footage from only three angles that showed parts of the altercation between the victim and suspect inside the store. 

In order to dissect the footage, D.A. Palmer called Detective Kenneth Dye II of the SAPD to the stand. Detective Dye was not the lead investigator in the case but was involved in aiding the police department in IDing a potential suspect.

The detective confirmed he arrived at the scene approximately one hour after the incident occurred. The information gathered appeared to point to the defendant -- who sustained a physical and verbal altercation with Talton.

The D.A. then showed the jury the footage of the three security cameras that had been secured as evidence. The first video shows the vantage point of the camera that covers the front door.

The footage shows Aramabula and a female companion standing in line to pay for their items. The victim then enters the store, and after a short period, he becomes agitated and removes his sweatshirt -- appearing to indicate he was going to be involved in a fight. 

The audio of the security cameras can be best described as poor and did not fully capture the exchange. The situation escalated, and the victim appeared to approach Arambula as the duo continues to exchange words. This all occurred as the defendant and his companion approach the counter.

As Talton gets closer to the defendant, that area gets out of focus. The state then presented the vantage point provided by the camera behind the cash register. In that footage, Talton can be seen approaching Arambula as the argument intensifies and the victim throws the first punch. 

Talton can then be seen losing his balance as he moves outside the camera's focus and Arambula follows. 

The third video presented by the prosecution records the entire incident, but the view is blocked extensively by the merchandise and rows. The jury observed the victim and the suspect close to the ground, but the stabbing cannot be seen in the footage. 

The prosecution would then present a lengthy list of still images taken from the videos. The selected frames showed a more detailed sequence of a few seconds in which this all took place.

The defense objected to the dozens of pictures arguing they were "overly duplicative, boring, and unclear." Defense attorney Thomas Jackson argued the videos were already in evidence.

As the defense began questioning Detective Dye, the jury was treated to a second viewing of all three videos. 

During this time, Jackson pointed out certain details that were not initially introduced by the prosecution. He pointed out that Talton had been accompanied into the Stripes by an individual identified as Marco Portillo.

In the video, Portillo can be seen attempting to hold the victim back as the argument began and standing nearby as Talton approached the defendant. 

Jackson would then extensively question Detective Dye on what he believed could be heard on the video and presenting his client as being relatively calm as Talton approached him. The detective would repeatedly state he could not make any assertions of what was said as the audio was not clear.

Jackson would also point out several people who were at the store at the time of the assault, including two customers who do not leave the front of the store even after they have paid. Their identities or possible involvement were not clarified by the defense.

After Talton was stabbed, the limited footage shows a woman yells what appears to be the name Robert, in one of the clearer moments on the footage. The individual identified as the defendant then walks to the front of the store. He then appears to say something in the general direction of where the victim ran to, but the audio isn't clear.

Portillo and the victim's girlfriend, identified as Jasmine Sanchez, can be seen on the video attempting to help Talton leave the store as he visibly and audibly complains of pain.

During her testimony, Sanchez stated she had accompanied Talton and Portillo to buy gum and something to drink when she saw the altercation unfold from inside the car.

Sanchez stated she entered the store when she could no longer see her boyfriend and by the time she was inside Talton had already been stabbed.

She testified that she ran to her vehicle to call 9-1-1.  In the security video, the store's clerk can be heard asking the patrons still inside if Talton had been stabbed and then calling 9-1-1. The tone of voice of those inside the store did not appear to be that of someone shocked or worried about what had just occurred.

According to Sanchez, as she reached her car she saw Talton run towards the air pumps across the parking lot before turning to face his friends and telling Portillo "if anything happens to me, I love you."

As Talton made his way back to the car he collapsed face-first onto the parking lot, effectively knocking out most of his teeth.

During her questioning, Palmer played the 9-1-1 call and Sanchez was clearly emotional on the recording. She tells the dispatcher someone had been stabbed and opted to drive the victim to the hospital feeling EMS was taking too long to respond after a few seconds of placing the call.

The dispatcher maintained contact with Sanchez as she traveled to Shannon Medical Center and in the audio cries of pain could be heard.

This caused a lot of distress for Sanchez on the witness stands and for individuals in the gallery who became upset with the audio.

Sanchez would also testify that until that day she had never heard the victim mention the defendant.

When it was time for the defense to begin its cross, the defense team approached the judge and expressed some concern. The jury was removed from the courtroom and the defense detailed the issue they had with the witness. According to Jackson, he may face a similar issue with one of his witnesses.

At this time, it is unknown how the judge will opt to handle the situation, but a decision will be made on Wednesday. More details will be provided after the ruling tomorrow.

The jury was then adjourned for the day and asked to return to the Tom Green County Courthouse at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.