Texas Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Beating Girlfriend’s Brother to Death — FaceTimed His Own Mother During the Murder, Prosecutors Say
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — A 40-year-old man in Texas who beat his girlfriend’s brother to death in front of her — while FaceTiming his own mother and son during the assault — has been sentenced to 45 years in prison, prosecutors announced this week.
According to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Robert Carrasco pleaded guilty to murder in the death of 38-year-old Jason Banda, ending a years-long feud that spiraled into deadly violence.
Deadly Confrontation Followed Years of Tension
Prosecutors said Carrasco and Banda’s conflict began in February 2022, when Carrasco assaulted his girlfriend, who was Banda’s sister. Banda helped police report the attack, leading to Carrasco’s arrest and conviction.
Carrasco later pleaded guilty and received probation — but within months, he violated its terms and was re-arrested in September 2022. Banda again played a role in alerting authorities to his location, which prosecutors say intensified Carrasco’s anger.
After serving additional time in jail, Carrasco was released on bond in March 2024.
“He apparently had not forgotten about Banda,” prosecutors said. “The tension reached a boiling point shortly after his release.”
Murder Caught During FaceTime Call
In April 2024, Carrasco confronted Banda at a residence in Bexar County, accusing him of getting him arrested. During the encounter, prosecutors said Carrasco “brutally beat and killed Banda in front of his sister.”
In a shocking twist, Carrasco FaceTimed his mother and son during the attack, reportedly showing them the assault as it happened.
“He called his mother while he was in the middle of beating Jason Banda to death,” the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office confirmed.
Carrasco’s mother later reported the call to authorities, prompting investigators to return to the crime scene for additional testing with the county medical examiner.
Girlfriend Initially Lied to Investigators
At first, Banda’s sister told police that her brother had been “jumped,” but later admitted Carrasco was the killer, prosecutors said.
Evidence from witness testimony and the FaceTime call helped solidify the murder case. Carrasco ultimately accepted a plea deal that spared him a potential life sentence.
Victim Remembered as ‘Kind and Generous’
According to his obituary, Jason “Jay” Banda was remembered as “a kind and generous man who helped everyone he could.”
“Jay, you will be missed tremendously, and you will forever live in the hearts of everyone that met you,” his family wrote.
The Bexar County DA’s Office said the plea and sentencing bring long-awaited justice to Banda’s loved ones after more than a year of grief and delays.
This tragic case serves as a chilling reminder of how domestic violence can escalate to deadly extremes. For more updates on national crime stories and court developments, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.