-
Westbrooks -
Guillen
One of two men indicted for capital murder in a 2023 home invasion robbery that left two men dead has learned that he will not be facing the death penalty should he be found guilty of the crime.
Paul Edward Westbrooks Jr., 30, is facing charges of capital murder by terror threat/other felony and murder, accused of participating in an early morning home invasion style robbery at a home in the 1800 block of Elgie St. on April 10. Charged alongside Westbrooks is Dijon Ivory, 29; both men are from Beaumont.
According to police, the murder/robbery occurred at approximately 2 a.m. on a Monday morning. Two men were fatally shot at the residence: Ahmad Hayden, 32, and Roven Dotson, 31.
Ivory was arrested two days after the crime; Westbrooks was on the lam for three days.
Before Jefferson County 252 District Court Judge Raquel West on July 12, Westbrooks heard that he would not be subject to the death penalty for the alleged capital crime. According to West, the district attorney’s office filed notice of intent not to seek capital pun - ishment for the alleged capital crime prior to the court hearing.
Also on July 12, West heard testimony in what the Beaumont Police Department (BPD) attributes as the first homicide of 2023.
Florencio Castillo Guillen, 60, of Beaumont, was arrested for the murder of 64-year-old Gerardo Solis Ramos on Feb. 27. Police reported that the victim, a transient possibly living on the landscaping business property where his lifeless body was found, was discovered at 7:05 a.m. in the 1200 block of S. 11th St. BPD had been called to the scene in reference to a possible deceased person near dumpsters.
“It was evident that Ramos did not die of natural causes and detectives obtained a warrant for Guillen and arrested him,” police reported.
In court on Tuesday, prosecutor Luke Nichols said the attack was exacted with a machete – and presented photos of Ramos from the day of his death
“This is a machete attack against a coworker,” Nichols said. “I don’t feel safe at night with this man being out.”
Guillen, defense attorney Laurie Perozzo protested in support of a bond reduction to free her client, is a model suspect – no criminal history, not a flight risk, with significant ties to the community.
“He was gainfully employed at the time, as well,” Perozzo said. “He also has family members, and friends, and coworkers that reside in this area.”
Through his attorney, Guillen admitted causing Ramos’ death, but said there was good cause.
“He was just protecting himself,” Perozzo said, giving an affirmative plea to the court, but with the caveat of selfdefense.
“I want to have a little more infor - mation about that,” West determined.
As of press time, Guillen remained in the Jefferson County Jail in lieu of a $1 million bond. Parties are expected in court on Tuesday, July 18, to offer arguments before the court as to the defense request to reduce bond to $100,000.