FONDA – Ivan “Big Man” Ramos was sentenced to two life sentences in prison this morning for killing two people last year in an Amsterdam apartment.
Ramos, 30, of Amsterdam, convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in February, denied the killings before his sentencing in Montgomery County Court.
Ramos was found guilty Feb. 2 of stabbing and killing William McDermott, 56, and Cheryl Goss, 46, on March 2, 2012, at McDermott’s 359 Locust Ave. apartment in Amsterdam.
“I did not brutally kill William McDermott or Cheryl Goss,” Ramos said this morning before his sentencing by County Court Judge Felix Catena.
Before the sentencing, family members of the victims read statements.
Sarah McDermott, daughter of William McDermott, said to Ramos, “How does it feel to look into my eyes knowing what you did?”
She said her father had helped Ramos with his personal problems.
“Is that how you pay him back?” she said to Ramos.
During this morning’s proceeding, Ramos accused the judge of sleeping during the trial and claimed the district attorney committed perjury.
In addition to the two life sentences, Ramos received 3 1/2 to seven years in prison for possession of a weapon.
A jury found Ramos guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
According to police, Ramos had gone into the apartment to meet with McDermott and then stabbed to death McDermott and Goss. Video from several locations show Ramos approaching and leaving Locust Avenue, authorities said.
At the scene, Ramos and McDermott struggled, ending with McDermott lying on the floor of the apartment building’s hallway with several stab wounds, authorities said.
Ramos dragged McDermott back into the apartment, leaving a blood trail, authorities said.
He then stabbed Goss to death inside the apartment, officials said.
No motive for the killings has been given.
