A 23-year-old Lyndora man accused of killing his girlfriend in 2017 is scheduled to go to trial Sept. 16.

Butler County Judge Timothy McCune heard arguments Wednesday from Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz, who is prosecuting the case, and the defendant's lawyer, Christopher Capozzi. Issues included everything from juror selection questions to autopsy and crime scene photos.

Ishemer Ramsey is charged with homicide, felony conspiracy to commit homicide, hindering apprehension, misdemeanor abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and conspiracy charges.

Police allege Ramsey shot and killed his girlfriend, Butler native Melissa Barto, two days before his June 10, 2017, arrest following a traffic stop. He is also accused of burning and hiding her body on a Lawrence County farm with the help of a friend.

Schultz told McCune she wants to call 28 people to testify at Ramsey's trial. In a court filing, Schultz requested that McCune allow her to present evidence and witnesses who will testify to Ramsey's “physical and mental abuse of Barto.”

McCune had not rendered a decision as of Thursday afternoon.

Schultz's court filing recounts details of possible witness testimony, including occasions in which various friends of Barto told authorities they observed evidence of abuse and were told by Barto that she was struck by Ramsey.

Capozzi opposed those claims in separate filings and McCune heard arguments from both sides to decide what would be permitted in Ramsey's trial.

Jury selection is scheduled for Sept. 5 and 6.

Schultz proposed several potential juror questions specific to this case. Along with questions about an individual's previous knowledge of the case, other proposed questions involve domestic violence and the television shows “Law and Order” and “CSI.”