Amsterdam murder suspect found guilty in home invasion case

PHOTOGRAPHER: John Enger

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A Montgomery County jury convicted an Amsterdam murder suspect in an unrelated home invasion case Wednesday.

Ivan Ramos, 31, was found guilty of two counts each of first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery nearly a year after invading a home at 210 Guy Park Ave. in Amsterdam.

Ramos and another assailant burst in the back door of the apartment early the morning of Nov. 29, 2011.

Montgomery County District Attorney Jed Conboy said Ramos had a knife while the other man — who has not been arrested — carried a shotgun. Neither weapon came into play, but one victim was injured in the course of the robbery.

Charles Seays, one of the four apartment occupants, leapt through a first-floor window to escape, cutting his face badly in the process.

Both robbers wore face masks, but the victims were easily able to identify Ramos due to his great size.

“They all indicated that they knew it was ‘Big Man,’ ” Conboy said, explaining that Ramos is known on the street by this moniker. “He’s 6 feet 2 inches and 285 pounds, so he’s a big man.”

Three of the four apartment occupants testified at Wednesday’s trial, including Seays, who now has a visible scar running from above his left eye all the way down his cheek caused by the window, according to Conboy.

Mario Rios, who was the boyfriend of Ramos’ sister, also testified at the trial.

“Ramos confessed to Rios that he robbed this house,” Conboy said.

Ramos was arrested and charged several days after the incident but posted $25,000 bail while awaiting trial.

It was while he was free on bail that police say he stabbed Cheryl Goss, 46, and 56-year-old William McDermott to death in McDermott’s Locust Avenue apartment March 2.

Ramos was arrested a day later and charged with possession of construction equipment stolen in an unrelated case.

He pleaded guilty to that charge and, while serving his 11⁄2- to three-year prison term, was charged in connection with another home invasion.

He and another man allegedly robbed an East Main Street residence in October 2011, injuring an occupant significantly enough to require hospitalization.

In early September he was indicted on two charges of first-degree murder in the March slayings. The murder trial is set for Jan. 22. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Conboy said the maximum sentence for the charges Ramos was convicted of Wednesday is 25 years in prison, which could be added to any other sentences.