Lisa Kamenar
Remembering Lisa Kamenar
A Good Deed with Bad Intentions
18-year-old Lisa Kamenar loved children. After graduating high school, Lisa was looking forward to going to college to pursue her teaching degree. Lisa spent much of her free time with her friends and family, who she loved very much. She could often be found camping, fishing and spending time at the beach. Lisa especially cherished the time she spent with her nieces and nephews. Her ultimate dream was to get married and have children of her own. Lisa’s future was bright and she could never imagined it would all be destroyed in one violent moment on October 8, 1989.
Shortly after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, John, Lisa was introduced to Richard Ashley by some mutual friends. The two went out casually a few times, however Lisa soon realized she was still in love with John. Ashley and Lisa remained friends, although Ashley was deeply in love with Lisa. When Lisa told Ashley her car needed new brakes, he offered to replace them for her. Ashley told Lisa there was not a jack in her car and he suggested they go to his brother Brian’s house to get a jack. He also told her that his brother could help him fix the brakes. Lisa agreed and the two drove to Ashley’s brother’s house.
A Drinking Game Turns Deadly
After arriving at his brother’s home, Richard Ashley convinced Lisa to go inside. A short time later, Ashley, Lisa, Ashley’s brother Brian and Brian’s wife Debbie began playing a drinking game called “quarters.” At some point a .38 caliber gun that belonged to Brian was brought out and examined by Ashley. The gun was then put away. A short time later, the gun was brought out again. According to Ashley, the gun was in his lap and discharged while he was trying to put the safety on. The bullet hit Lisa in the head, killing her instantly. When police arrived at the home, it did not take long for them to realize this was no accident.
After arriving, police spoke to Richard Ashley, who claimed the gun discharged as he tried to put the safety on. They also spoke to Ashley’s brother Brian, who told them Lisa and Ashley were deeply in love. Police talked to Ashley’s six-year-old nephew, who was in the house. The boy told police he saw Ashley point the gun at Lisa. After speaking with witnesses, the police officers checked Lisa’s car and found the jack that Ashley had told Lisa was not in the car. They also found a single red rose. The rose had been given to Lisa by her ex-boyfriend John days earlier.
Based on the facts, Richard Ashley was arrested and charged with the murder of Lisa Kamenar.
Overwhelming Evidence Points to Murder
Richard Ashley’s story changed multiple times during the investigation. He told police the gun discharged accidentally while trying to put the safety on. He told the Grand Jury he pulled the hammer back a hair and it slipped, slamming down and causing the fatal gunshot. At trial, he told jurors that he pulled the hammer back and it slipped. He told them he could not remember if he had his finger on the trigger. In each instance, he said the gun was on his lap. When asked about details, Ashley said he could not remember, multiple times.
Prosecutors brought in experts who refuted all of Ashley’s stories. Bureau of Criminal Investigation firearms expert Richard Turbok told jurors that the safety was built into the gun, and he tested the gun 100 times and not one time did it discharge.
Summit County Coroner William Cox testified he determined the cause of death to be homicide. He stated the gun was only 18 inches away from Lisa’s face when it was fired. He also said Lisa’s hand was was raised in the same region of her face at the time of the shooting.
The most damning evidence came from witness David Zelker. Zelker testified that, on November 22, 1986, he and a group of friends, which included Richard Ashley, drove to a cabin in Wisconsin. He told the jurors that the group played a drinking game called “quarters.” At some point, someone found a .32 caliber revolver in the cabin. The group examined the gun and it was put away. A short time later, the gun appeared again and was in Ashley’s possession. Ashley pointed the gun at Zelker, clicked it a few times, then fired a non fatal shot into Zelker’s chest. Zelker testified that Ashley, who was then a juvenile, threatened his life immediately before the shooting. Ashley claimed it was an accident and was never charged by authorities.
Guilty of Murder
Based on the expert testimony, as well as the powerful testimony of David Zelker, a jury determined Lisa’s death was not accidental. They found Richard Ashley guilty of murder. Judge James Murphy sentenced Ashley to 15 years to life in prison, plus an addition three years for using a gun.
UPDATE: Richard Ashley was granted parole and was released on October 21, 2019. Per Roberta’s Law he will remain under supervision for five years. We hope Mr. Ashley is rehabilitated however based on the nature of the crime we continue believe he remains a threat to the community.Rest In Peace Lisa Kamenar. You will never be forgotten.