BEAUMONT, Texas — A jury sentenced Bryce Lawrence Ceaser, 25, to 30 years in prison after they found him guilty on two charges in connection with the 2021 death of his girlfriend's baby.
Judge Raquel West said he will get credit for any time he has already spent in custody. He will get the right to appeal.
The jury sentenced him to 30 years on each count, but they will run concurrently.
When Ceaser is released, he will not be allowed to own a firearm. He will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years.
Ceaser was found guilty Friday morning of injury to a child and aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury to a child, which are both first degree felonies.
Ceaser stood motionless with his hands in front of him as the verdiscts were read. His only reaction was a single nod as the result of each verdict was read.
The punishment phase of the trial began at 12:15 p.m. Friday afternoon.
Defense attorney Radford began by telling the jury that the only issue that was before the court was did, he do this intentionally, or was he recklessly. He told them that it was not in his nature to do this intentionally.
“The state has attempted to show that he is an unemployed drug dealer. Mr. Ceaser is not an unemployed drug dealer,” he said. He told the jury that he was an unemployed security guard who occasionally sold a little marijuana.
“Big deal,” Radford said.
He said if Ceaser was a hardened criminal, the state would have included a string of convictions in evidence, but they could not do that. He said Ceaser is not a bad kid, but he made bad decisions.
Radford asked the jury to remember that for every year they give him in punishment, he will have to serve at least a half-year before he is eligible for parole.
Prosecutor Tatiana Zelezniak showed the jury a portrait of the young victim.
She told them that the victim’s future, “…was snatched not only from her, but it’s also been snatched from us.”
Zelezniak said Ceaser has yet to put a foot down on the path of redemption.
She said he has not said how he feels about being responsible for taking this child from us.
“It’s taken him two years to half-way say he’s sorry” for what happened. He does not get to kill a child, and then blame that child for her own death. He does not get to blame it on the child for not behaving or being loud.
“Can you imagine a more innocent victim?” she asked the jury.
The jury began deliberating on Thursday.
His case was heard before Judge West in the 252nd District Court. Prosecuting the case is Tatiana Zelezniak. Ceaser's defense attorney is Wendell Radford Jr.
Before the jury got the case closing arguments began at about 10:45 a.m. Thursday morning.
The trial began with jury selection on Monday morning.
Thursday testimony
In his closing statement, prosecutor Tommy Coleman, began by telling the jury that while they may not have surveillance video or other things they would like to have, they can infer from the evidence and use their common sense.
"You don't leave your common sense at the door," he told the jury.
He reminded the jury that they are the sole judges of the credibility of the witnesses who testified. You can believe some, none, or all of the testimony presented.
Defense Attorney Wendell Radford Jr, in his closing arguments told jurors that they need to know if this was intentional and knowingly, or recklessly commited.
"Bryce Ceaser is not a bad guy. He's a security guard, " he told them.
He noted that anyone who has a child knows raising a child can be frustrating. "t's rewarding, but frustrating," he said.
He challenged the prosecution's assertion that Bryce hurt the child so he could play a video gaming saying that is not what the detective said.
Wednesday's Testimony
Testimony resumed November 29, 2023.
The first witness called by Zelezniak was Dr. William McClain, a forensic pathologist.
Zelezniak called him to answer questions about autopsy photos of the child that were entered into evidence.
Radford Jr. objected to McClain testifying about the photos because McClain did not take the photos, have custody of them, or have first-hand knowledge of them and said they need someone who actually took them.
Judge West overruled his objection.
Zelezniak asked McClain if he was often called to testify about autopsy results in cases going to trial after the original physician retired. He said yes.
McClain testified about fractures to the child's skull, swelling and hemorrhage of the child's brain, and an injury to her shoulder. He described other injuries.
Zelezniak asked Dr. McClain if he agreed with the results of the original pathologist that the child died of abusive head trauma. He said he did.
In cross examination, Radford Jr. asked McClain to confirm he was not part of the autopsy. The doctor said that is correct.
Radford Jr. asked the doctor if he was paid for his testimony. The doctor said his company is paid for the services that they provide for the county.
Radford asked if the shoulder injuries happened at the same time as the head injuries and the doctor said yes. Radford asked him where in the notes from the doctor who did the autopsy that he says this. Dr. McClain said he did not stipulate this.
Tuesday's testimony
Opening statements began November 28, 2023 a little after 1 p.m.
Zelezniak began by reading the indictment in court. Judge West asked Ceaser how he pleaded, which he answered not guilty to each charge.
Co-prosecutor Tommy Coleman told the jury that Ceaser told police he lost it when the alleged crime happened that led to the death of Ka'Oir Stevens, an 11-month-old.
Coleman said Ceaser was watching Ka'Oir because the mother had started a new job. He told the jury that Ka'Oir is not Ceaser’s biological daughter.
The jury was told by Coleman that Ceaser called Ka'Oir's mother, Ktirrah Stevens, that day and told her that Ka'Oir woke up from having a seizure.
Coleman informed the jury that they would be hearing the 911 call that Ceaser made after calling Ktirrah and they will see how his story changes over time.
He said they will hear in the call that when the dispatcher asked about choking, Ceaser then changed his story saying that Ka'Oir was eating crackers and then started choking. He then tried to do CPR.
Coleman told the jury that they will hear testimony from EMS that there was no sign that Ka'Oir was choking, had no response to pain, her eyes were not responding and that there were signs of head trauma.
Ceaser's attorney then began opening statements saying that Ceaser did lose it like he told police.
Radford told the jury that the issue is if Ceaser intentionally, knowingly or was reckless and whether or not he used a deadly weapon.
Radford said when the trial is done, the jury will have to decide if Ceaser was intentional and reckless. He also told the jury they will have to consider Ceaser's mental state.
Background of the case
Bryce Lawrence Ceaser, 25, was indicted on March 2, 2022.
On Friday, December 3, 2021, at 2:45 p.m., Beaumont Police were dispatched to St. Elizabeth Hospital in reference to Ka'Oir Stevens who was brought in for choking, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Ka'Oir was pronounced dead later that day.
The investigation revealed Ka'Oir was transported from Settler's Cove Apartments in Beaumont for breathing difficulties. The medical staff at St. Elizabeth said Ceaser was at the hospital with Ka'Oir, along with her biological mother, Ktirrah Stevens, according to the affidavit.
A CT scan performed on Ka'Oir showed bleeding in the brain. There was also a large bruise on her right shoulder and left temple. She also showed signs of petechiae in her left eye.
According to Ceaser, Ka'Oir woke up in a lethargic state and had a seizure shortly after. Ceaser reported that he gave her some small crackers to eat.
A short while later, Ceaser said Ka'Oir became unresponsive and he shook her several times with no response. Then, he patted her on the back numerous times and later called EMS.
Ktirrah was contacted and rushed to check on her baby. She said upon entering her apartment, she saw her daughter unresponsive.
Ktirrah says Ceaser appeared nervous and gave a different account of what happened.
At the time, Ceaser had outstanding warrants for traffic tickets in Beaumont, so he was arrested at the hospital and transported to the Beaumont Police Department, where he spoke with detectives.
Ceaser continued to repeat his initial account and advised that Ka'Oir was choking on a cheese cracker and the injuries could have only occurred when he attempted to clear her airway, according to the affidavit.
After speaking to detectives for an extended amount of time, Ceaser said that he did not want to appear as a monster and wanted to tell the truth.
Ceaser went on to confess that he became angry at Ka'Oir over alleged misbehavior, so he picked her up and vigorously shook her to the point that Ka'Oir ultimately became unresponsive, according to the affidavit.
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