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Jury deliberates fate of Wallace Lewis in murder trial
By Justin Wier
YOUNGSTOWN
Jurors began deliberations Wednesday to decide the fate of Wallace Lewis, who is on trial for murder.
Lewis, 28, of Steel Street, faces charges of murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence in connection to the Aug. 10, 2016, stabbing death of Howard Ramey, 53, who was found in his basement with his arms and legs bound and 25 stab wounds to the head and neck.
In closing arguments, prosecuting attorney Rob Andrews referenced a Facebook post police believe was made by Lewis shortly after the murder which read: “May God have mercy on my soul.”
“Who says something like that?” Andrews asked. “Somebody who has just done something horrific. That’s who says that.”
Atty. David Engler, who represents Wallace, cast doubt upon the testimony of Calvin Shelton, 28, and Felicia Ward, 25, both of whom are serving four-year sentences for their involvement in Ramey’s death.
Engler produced an enlarged Monopoly “get out of jail free” card and argued that Shelton and Ward decided to implicate Lewis to reduce their own sentences.
“When a play is cast in hell, you can’t expect the players to be angels,” Andrews said.
He argued that while Shelton and Ward may have downplayed their involvement, key points of their testimony implicated Lewis.
Detective Sgt. Ronald Barber of Youngstown Police Department also testified Wednesday.
Ramey allowed Lewis to sell drugs out of his home in exchange for Lewis’ providing Ramey with crack cocaine, Barber said.
He also described finding a couch and love seat that Ward said she and Lewis sold to a friend out of Ramey’s house after Ramey’s murder.
A juror in the trial had to be replaced Wednesday after she was struck shortly before 9 a.m. by a Youngstown Police Department cruiser while crossing Front Street.
The cruiser was turning left onto Front Street from Phelps Street, police said. Investigators have yet to determine who was at fault.
An ambulance took the victim from the scene, whose injuries police described as minor.
The remaining jurors deliberated until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and will resume deliberations this morning.