Ishemer Ramsey

Defense attorneys for a Butler man charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend say they are still awaiting ballistic evidence.

Attorney Christopher Capozzi, who is representing Ishemer D. Ramsey, 22, of Lyndora, told President Judge Thomas Doerr during a status conference Wednesday that following a Feb. 5 hearing where the ballistics evidence had been discussed and ordered to be provided within 30 days, the report has still not been turned over to the defense.

“This is a credible piece of evidence for both the Commonwealth and the defense,” Capozzi said.

Capozzi asked for a court order compelling state police to prepare that report, as he said the ballistics analysis has yet to even be completed.

Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz said that she has contacted the state police lab in Greensburg several times. While this case is on the “hot list” of important cases, she said state police officials told her that a number of police-involved shootings take priority.

“I have no control over the Greensburg lab,” she said.

Doerr issued an order directing the crime lab to place priority on this evidence, as it is the only remaining outstanding evidentiary item in the case.

He also scheduled a status conference for August, and gave the defense 60 days to review video footage and the vehicle involved in the case, and file pretrial motions — with the reserved right to amend those motions when ballistics evidence is completed and turned over.

Ramsey was charged with homicide, felony conspiracy to commit homicide, hindering apprehension, misdemeanor abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy charges to both after the June 8 shooting death of Melissa Barto.

State police accuse Ramsey of shooting the 26-year-old Butler native and mother in his vehicle, during an argument over his belief she had been unfaithful.

Ramsey continues to be held in Butler County Prison without bail.