After a four-day criminal trial in October, a 24-year-old Lyndora man was found guilty of killing his girlfriend in 2017. He was sentenced by Judge William Shaffer to life in prison for first-degree homicide.

Ishemer Ramsey's lawyer, Christopher Capozzi, promised to appeal the decision to a higher state court. Prosecutors presented evidence during a non-jury trial laying out their case that Ramsey killed Melissa Barto in 2017.

A number of witnesses were called to testify during the trial. Leading up to Barto's death, Ramsey and Barto were in an on-and-off relationship. The victim's mother, Lisa Barto, testified in court that on June 8, 2017, the couple had planned on attending the kindergarten graduation of Barto's daughter.

But Barto and Ramsey never showed up and the next day Lisa Barto reported her daughter missing to police. Several days later, Barto's body was found in Lawrence County. On June 22, 2017, Ramsey was charged in her murder.

During the trial, Capozzi argued that Ramsey didn't kill Barto. On the last day of the trial, Ramsey took the stand and claimed Barto killed herself during an argument between them.

Ramsey's lawyer also began to establish the foundation for an appeal to the conviction. Throughout the four days, he demanded the judge declare a mistrial and made accusations of prosecutorial misconduct.

On the day of Ramsey's sentencing, Barto's family members were invited to make statements.

“I will never forget her,” Lisa Barto said. “I feel guilty I wasn't there to protect her from the horrible things he'd done to her.”

Ishemer Ramsey