Scotty Lee Goble Arrested;- The sentencing phase has commenced for an individual convicted of murdering a restaurant owner outside a taqueria in Tyler.
Scotty Lee Goble, aged 54, from Frost, was found guilty on Monday of killing Heriberto “Eddie” Ramirez in front of his family’s establishment in October 2024.
Ramirez’s wife took the witness stand, tearfully recounting the impact of her husband’s death on her and their two daughters.
“Eddie was the love of my life,” she stated. “We are not okay. We are shattered. I can see the pain in the girls’ eyes.”
She recounted how her daughter, upon losing a tooth, showed it to a picture of her father. Additionally, she mentioned that the girls struggle to sleep at night and require melatonin.
“Now, when we pray, we leave a space for him, as he is not present.”
The prosecution also introduced plea documents related to a misdemeanor theft charge Goble received just eight days prior to the shooting of Ramirez for shoplifting at Walmart.
During sentencing, the jury has the discretion to determine whether the murder was committed in a state of sudden passion, a crime characterized by impulsive action without time for contemplation.
If deemed an act of sudden passion, Goble could face a sentence ranging from two to twenty years. Conversely, if the jury does not classify it as such, his sentence could extend from five years to life imprisonment.
The prosecution is advocating for a life sentence, arguing that Goble had the opportunity to leave the situation. The defense contends that it should be classified as an act of sudden passion.
“This case exemplifies sudden passion as defined by law,” the defense asserted.
The prosecution has concluded its case, and the jury is scheduled to reconvene at 1:30 p.m.
A hearing regarding the admissibility of the defense experts will take place.
