Springfield, Ohio

From the Springfield News Sun of October 30, 2007

Ramey acquitted of murder charges

Shane Ramey was acquitted Tuesday afternoon in his capital murder trial for the shooting death of Charles Trent in March.

Ramey, 35, of Springfield, was found innocent on felony murder, attempted murder and aggravated murder charges.

He was found guilty of weapons under disability and faces up to five years in prison on that charge.

Ramey was accused of shooting Charles Trent, 68, and his grandson, Anthony Donte Trent, 29, both of 233 W. Grand Ave., on March 15.

Defense attorneys claimed Anthony Donte Trent had been threatening Ramey over a number of days and that Ramey acted in self defense.

Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Darnell Carter blasted the jury for the "stunning verdict."

"It amazes me that 12 people wouldn't value the life of (Charles Trent)," Carter said to the jury after the verdict was read.

John Paul Rion, Ramey's attorney, said the jury had been fair in its decision.

"No one was kept from testifiying, and the jury deliberated more than 13 hours," said Rion. "They took this seriously."

The verdict was the first acquittal on a murder charge in Clark County in more than eight years, said Carter.

Investigators alleged that an argument took place between Anthony Donte Trent and Ramey, and that Ramey opened fire on both men as they sat in a car on Liberty Street.

Anthony Donte Trent was shot in both arms and recovered. Charles Trent was hospitalized for his injuries and died April 25.

Clark County Common Pleas Judge Douglas Rastatter set Ramey's sentencing for 8:30 a.m. Friday.