Baytown student denied bail in fatal classmate stabbing

Judge Denies Bail for Student Charged with Murder

BAYTOWN, Texas – A judge denied bail on Wednesday for an 18-year-old student charged with murder. The student is accused of stabbing a classmate in a Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District high school classroom last month.

Details of the Incident

Aundre Matthews, 18, is charged in the Dec. 17 stabbing of Andrew Meismer, 16, at Sterling High School. Meismer later died from his injuries.

This hearing was Matthews’ second court appearance since the stabbing.

Prosecutors’ Case

Prosecutors moved to deny bail during the hearing. They called Cory Scott, a criminal investigator with Goose Creek CISD, as their sole witness. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare and his team were present.

Scott testified that he responded to the school after reports of a stabbing. He documented extensive blood inside a science classroom. Photographs of the scene were introduced into evidence despite defense objections.

Testimony and Evidence

Scott described a lab table that had been overturned and noted “copious amounts of blood” on the floor. He stated that the incident began from an argument between Matthews and Meismer over a vape pen.

Scott reviewed school surveillance video and noted there were no cameras inside classrooms or bathrooms. The judge paused the hearing to allow defense attorneys to view parts of the video.

Scott testified that shortly before 11 a.m., Matthews and Meismer entered a classroom after testing. A science teacher later reported that Meismer asked to use the restroom, followed by Matthews. Moments later, another student alerted the teacher to a fight.

Fight and Aftermath

When the teacher entered, Scott testified that Matthews was holding Meismer in a chokehold. The teacher struggled to separate them. Another teacher later reported that Meismer was covered in blood.

Scott testified that Matthews appeared to smile as he was escorted from the classroom. Multiple students reported seeing him lick his fingers after being restrained. Some students heard Matthews say, “He owed me money, so I stabbed him,” according to Scott.

Meismer suffered a punctured artery in the throat area.

Concerns About School Safety

Scott noted that students expressed concern about school safety and confusion over whether the campus was on lockdown. He believed a full lockdown was not appropriate based on the information he had.

During cross-examination, Scott acknowledged he did not witness the stabbing and had no firsthand knowledge of the events inside the classroom. He also mentioned observing broken glasses at the scene, which could indicate a struggle.

Defense Arguments

Defense attorneys argued that prosecutors improperly relied on Matthews’ school disciplinary history. They called the records hearsay and a violation of due process. They also stated that much evidence had not been disclosed to the defense.

Prosecutors countered that the records were obtained from the school district and were properly introduced. The judge overruled the defense objections and allowed the records into evidence.

Judge’s Ruling

The defense urged the court to set a reasonable bond. They argued that prosecutors failed to show Matthews posed a flight risk and had no direct evidence of criminal conduct. They noted that Matthews was a special education student.

Prosecutors argued that the severity of the alleged offense justified denying bail. They cited testimony that it took over a minute for staff to pull Matthews off Meismer and that students witnessed the attack.

In her ruling, Judge Detoto described the photographs from the scene as “disturbing.” She referenced a history of allegations involving weapon possession.

Bail was denied.

Summary of Key Facts