CULLMAN, Ala. – Christopher Dean Eugene Brown, 22, was sentenced to 80 years on Tuesday, Nov. 12, for the murder of Roberto Juarez Ramos, 23, of Blountsville. The shooting occurred on May 21, 2023, at the Cullman City Parking Deck. Brown pleaded guilty to the crime in August of this year.
The Cullman County District Attorney’s Office said it presented its sentencing case this week, alongside Ramos’ friends and family. District Attorney Champ Crocker shared on Facebook, that, after hearing from both sides, Cullman County Circuit Judge Martha Williams sentenced Brown to 80 years.
“My phone rang at 3 a.m. that Sunday morning and I was notified of a homicide at the parking deck,” Crocker said. “I responded to the scene which Cullman police officers secured. I stayed on scene with the officers for several hours, and we determined who we were looking for. While many officers were on scene, others were conducting interviews and following leads. By mid-morning, we had a warrant in hand for Brown’s arrest for the murder of Roberto Ramos. When things like this happen, everyone comes together to get justice – Cullman PD, Circuit Clerk Lisa McSwain and the DA’s Office all worked in unison. Once the warrant was in hand, it had to be served. Cullman PD worked with Walker County law enforcement because Brown was believed to be at his residence in Sumiton. They found Brown at his residence and detained him until our officers could get there. When they did, Officer Chad Ashworth cuffed him, and Brown was transported to the Cullman County jail. Only 12 hours after committing a murder and taking off into the night, Brown was in custody. That’s impressive police work.”
Crocker said that although the case may look cut and dry – trial preparation and acquiring the desired result are difficult, but rewarding when it’s over.
“When you sit and grieve with a victim’s family outside a crime scene, it gives you perspective,” he said. “There was no plea offer in this case. Some actions deserve a trial, and I believed this was such a case. My staff and I worked all summer to get this case ready for the Aug. 26 trial. I was taken aback when Brown showed up for trial and pleaded ‘blind,’ which was him voluntarily changing his plea to guilty without a plea agreement. From that point forward we began preparing for sentencing. We are satisfied with this 80-year sentence as being both a crime deterrent and making our community safer.”
Crocker said Cullman Police Department investigators and officers did a fantastic job solving the case and helping the bring the defendant to justice.
According to the Cullman Police Department at the time of the murder, officers responded to a call about a shooting at approximately 2:40 a.m. and located Ramos, dead at the scene.
In the hours following the murder, then-Cullman Police Chief David Nassetta said there were eight to 10 witnesses at the parking deck who were able to positively identify Brown as the shooter.
He said the witnesses cooperated with the police and helped locate Brown. They were able to do so with the help of the public, law enforcement agencies and the district attorney’s office in a joint effort.
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