Marisela Botello murder trial: Suspect Lisa Dykes’ boyfriend describes stabbing

Marisela Botello murder trial: Suspect's boyfriend testifies

Charles Beltran took the stand on Friday. Prosecutors say Beltran, the boyfriend of Lisa Dykes, was sleeping with Marisela Botello when Dykes stabbed her in a jealous rage.

DALLAS - Prosecutors called Chalres Beltran, their star witness and co-defendant, to the stand on Friday morning as they continue to build their case against Lisa Dykes, who they say killed 23-year-old Marisela Botello.

Botello was visiting Dallas from Seattle in October 2020.

After a night out in Deep Ellum, she disappeared and her body was found months later in a remote area of Wilmer, south of Dallas.

Beltran spent several hours on the witness stand testifying about what he says happened on the night of October 5, 2020.

"We're just out there smoking a cigarette talking to each other and Marisela just walks by," Beltran recalled. "She was real cool, funny."

He told the jury he met Botello at a club and took her back to the Mesquite home he shared with Lisa Dykes and Nina Marano.

Charles Beltran (left), Nina Marano (center), Lisa Dykes (right)

Beltran said he had sex with Botello and fell asleep.

"I wake up to her screaming saying help me, help me," Beltran said. "I guess from all the movement in the bed I wake up and see Lisa on top of her."

[PROSECUTOR: "What is she doing?"]

"She's with a knife coming down like this," he said while making a stabbing motion.

Beltran said he tried to push Dykes off of Botello, but both rolled off the bed and continued to struggle.

Marisela Botello murder trial: Day 4 Key Moments

Charles Beltran, the boyfriend of Lisa Dykes, described Dykes killing Marisela Botello when he took the witness stand on Friday. Beltran, who is also a co-defendant in the case, faced hours of questions from the prosecution and defense, who took issue with his story.

"I grab Lisa and pin her to the wall and say what the f...what the f are you doing?" Beltran recalled.

He shoved Dykes, who a previous witness described as his "sugar mama" and main source of income.

"I told you not to bring any more girls over here. Why are you disrespecting us," he says Dykes replied.

By then, Beltran testifies Botello appeared dead.

"I’m still trying to process what the hell is going on," he said. "I’m like Lisa we have to call 911."

Beltran, who is a convicted felon, said Dykes told him not to.

"I'm like, well, you need to figure this s*** out," he recalled telling her. "I put my clothes on and grabbed my stuff and left."

Beltran said Dykes told him to get Marano, who had been asleep in the other room, and Beltran took off in his car.

Beltran has his own opportunities to contact police. Still, he chose not to. In fact, that day, he says he got high went to another girlfriend's home and even got an oil change for his car.

[PROSECUTOR: "Looking back on it now, can you see how shallow and selfish that sounds?"]

"Yes, ma'am," replied.

Days later, he says he got a call from Dykes to come back home.

"Spotless, like nothing had happened," he said.

Marisela Botello-Valadez

Beltran was the first person of interest. He testifies he felt the murder would be pinned on him, instead of Dykes or Marano.

"They’re attorneys, they have good jobs, they don’t have no record. Me, I look like a bad guy. I was scared," he said.

Beltran talked about the time between October 5, 2020, and when he was ultimately arrested in Utah in March 2021.

He said Dykes and Marano paid for him to live in several states across the country. He even stayed in Mexico for a few months.

Beltran said he never called police because the duo promised they were going to find a way to clear his name and Marano promised him money for his silence.

"They were going to go their way, I was going to go my way. That was the plan," he explained.

Botello's remains were found six months after she was reported missing.

Prosecutors maintain that Dykes and Marano disposed of Botello's body in Wilmer.

Beltran testifies he had nothing to do with that, but admits to withholding evidence.

[PROSECUTORS: "You know that you're going to prison for your role in this, is that fair?"]

"Yes, ma'am," said Beltran.

Beltran testifies there is no deal in place with prosecutors for his cooperation. Dykes' defense team, however, says Beltran has to be aware it'll help his murder case.

Marisela Botello Murder Trial: Defense questions Beltran

In Marisela Botello's Dallas murder trial, Charles Beltran, the boyfriend of murder suspect Lisa Dykes, is questioned by the defense. Beltran, who is also facing charges in the case, explains why he originally did not tell the whole truth about the stabbing.

On cross-examination, defense attorney Heath Harris tried to paint Beltran as a compulsive liar who would say anything to save his own skin.

[HARRIS: "My question is you know they're going to dismiss your murder case, right? As long as they believe you testified truthfully?"]

"Yes, sir," Beltran replied.

Harris continued to push Beltran on his credibility.

Beltran admitted he initially lied to investigators about Marano being involved in the murder. Beltran now claims Marano was only involved in the cover-up.

[HARRIS: "Nina Marano had nothing to do with the murder of Marisela, did she?"]

"No, sir," Beltran replied.

[HARRIS: "But you lied, didn't you?"]

"Yes, sir," Beltran said.

Beltran has also pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence.

We learned this afternoon that the murder charge has been dropped against Beltran and Nina Marano.

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The state is expected to rest its case on Monday.

FOX 4 reached out to Harris to ask if Dykes plans to testify.

He replied in a text saying, "Absolutely! Ms. Dykes is looking forward to addressing Beltran’s lies!"

Deep Ellum Crime and Public Safety