As the murder trial of a Lyndora man nears, the details around Melissa Barto's death appeared hazy for some of the investigating officers who were called to a court hearing Monday.

Prosecutors said Ishemer Ramsey, now 23, shot Barto to death on June 8, 2017. The body of the 26-year-old county native was discovered two days later on a Lawrence County farm.

But with a murder trial continually being rescheduled, officers called to testify Monday in county court struggled to recall some details and facts about the case.

Exchanges between the prosecutor and defense lawyer often became testy, with Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz objecting more than two dozen times. She objected repeatedly to defense lawyer Christopher Capozzi's line of questioning of the officers involved in Ramsey's arrest. At one point, Capozzi yelled, “I've been doing this for 25 years, this is nonsense.”

Presiding Judge Timothy McCune agreed, having earlier in the proceeding told Schultz, “You can object all you want, but we're going to build a record here today.”

More than two weeks after the second anniversary of Barto's death, both lawyers indicated they are ready to take the case to trial this September.

But the most contentious issue for Schultz and Capozzi are the moments leading up to Ramsey's capture on June 10, 2017, in Connoquenessing Township.

Capozzi argues that the Butler Township police who stopped Ramsey were working outside of the geographical limits of their authority. Compounding the situation was the arrival of Butler city police officers, who were actively looking for Ramsey. Authorities believed Ramsey was the last person to see Barto alive.

The two lawyers disagreed as to what action police took. Schultz argued that the police detained him and had reasonable suspicion to do so.

Capozzi countered that Ramsey was arrested since he was handcuffed and driven to the city police station to be questioned. He argued that probable cause is needed for an arrest. Since Ramsey wasn't observed committing any crime, then Capozzi reasoned that there shouldn't have been any police intervention and the stop was unconstitutional.

Capozzi asked McCune to rule on this matter before the case goes to trial in September.

Police believe Ramsey killed Barto two days before they stopped him June 10. She was his girlfriend at the time of her death. Ramsey was charged with homicide, felony conspiracy to commit homicide, hindering apprehension, misdemeanor abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and conspiracy charges.

During Monday's testimony, investigating officers failed to remember parts of the case. City Lt. Chad Rensel couldn't remember if the murder was in 2018 or 2017.

“It's been a long time,” Rensel said in court during his testimony Monday, during which he had to refer to his notes for specific dates and times. “I can't remember exactly.”

Much of Monday's testimony revisited the events around Ramsey's arrest. City officer Nathan Shulik again testified to allegations that Ramsey was abusive to Barto. He said Barto's mother reporting her daughter missing set off a series of events that led to Ramsey's arrest.

Ramsey has been in Butler County Prison since his arrest in 2017. He appeared in court wearing a red jumpsuit.

Capozzi asked McCune to allow Ramsey to be uncuffed during the hearing. Schultz objected to the complete removal of the handcuffs, and asked McCune to only allow one hand to be uncuffed. She cited a fear for her safety, but McCune pointed out that sheriff's deputies were present and allowed Ramsey to be completely uncuffed.