Student tried to hire girl's murder, police say

PASADENA, Texas — A 17-year-old student offered money and drugs to a high school classmate for the murder of a girl he suspected of harming his relationship with another girl, police said.

Thomas Moses Ramirez was arrested Wednesday and charged with solicitation of capital murder after meeting with a police officer posing as a prospective hit man in a park, police said.

Ramirez was being held at the harris county jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Police said they learned of the plan through a tip to a crime hotline. Officers were told that Ramirez had solicited a 17-year-old classmate, trying to arrange the slaying of a freshman at rayburn high school.

The intended target is a friend of Ramirez's 15-year-old former girlfriend, officers said. They said Ramirez believed the girl had played a role in their breakup.

The 17-year-old classmate that Ramirez originally solicited to commit the slaying went to the park with him on Wednesday. Pasadena police capt. A.H. "Bud" corbett said he did not know if the 17-year-old that Ramirez approached was also the person who called the hotline.

City and school district police and investigators of the harris county district attorney's Office arranged for Ramirez to meet at strawberry park in Pasadena with the 17-year-old student he had originally solicited and a law enforcement agent posing as a "hit man."

During the meeting, officers said Ramirez provided the name, address and a photo of the intended victim, along with a small amount of drugs as partial payment. It was understood that he would pay the rest of the agreed price after the slaying, police said.

After the agreement was made, Ramirez and a male friend who had accompanied him were taken into custody. Police said the other teen was released without charges later.

corbett did not know if Ramirez had an attorney.

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Friday, June 06, 2008 |

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