BUTLER, Pa. — A man accused of killing his girlfriend was in court Thursday morning for a preliminary hearing.
Ishemer Ramsey is one of four people arrested in connection with the death of Melissa Barto. Police said Ramsey, who is charged with homicide, was jealous and shot Barto inside a car before dumping her body.
Barto’s family was at the courthouse for Ramsey’s hearing, which was continued. They wore purple shirts in memory of Barto, who was reported missing when she failed to show up to her daughter's kindergarten graduation.
TRENDING NOW:
- Evgeni Malkin, Penguins pay tribute to Marc-Andre Fleury
- Boys wear skirts to school after shorts request denied
- Tick spreading in the US gives people meat allergies
- VIDEO: Fitness blogger killed by whipped cream dispenser
Police said Ramsey's motive was jealousy.
Barto's family said they knew Ramsey and never saw any warning signs.
"Every time we saw her, she was Missy. (There were) no signs. If they were there, we missed them. (We were) not quite nebby enough," said Barto's father, Dan Barto.
As they deal with the tragedy, the Bartos have started to help other people by raising awareness about domestic violence.
"I can't have her life wasted this way," Dan Barto said. "There had to be a reason."
Police said Ramsey got three friends to help him with the crime.
One of the men, Howard George, waived his preliminary hearing. He is accused of helping to move and dispose of Barto’s body.
Police said Joshua Bowser loaned his car to Ramsey to move the body and helped clean up the crime scene. Justin Johnson is charged with hindering apprehension and giving false reports to law enforcement.
Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage.
PREVIOUS STORIES:
- 4th person arrested in connection with Butler Co. mother's death
- 3rd arrest made in connection with Butler Co. woman's slaying
- Boyfriend charged with homicide in disappearance of woman
- Woman missing, police won't say if it's suspicious
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/ABGTXIAMTLITW4YS5IEDL6X2HY.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/WWED6WZOEJEWFDUJPAUBQZPJPM.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7MFUD6H3MVFFJKQVW4LERNNOXA.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/5QL2KNAZUJDJRG5FDQJTPNHKGY.png)
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/11-08-2024/t_267ef5db19094d859224d7e53c1789d5_name_2graywyckdrfire7av110824_transfer_frame_511.jpeg)