Farrell man found ‘not guilty’ of murder at social club, ‘guilty’ of assault

A Mercer County jury on Thursday acquitted a Farrell man of murder but convicted him on two counts of aggravated assault in connection with the fatal shooting of Lay'Onte Hammonds last year.

Yishmael Lee, 24, faces a potential prison sentence of three to seven years on one assault count and five to 10 years on the second count when he is sentenced on Aug. 22.

Mercer County District Attorney Peter Acker said the judge will consider mitigating circumstances during sentencing, including the death of Hammonds.

The verdict followed a trial that began Monday for Lee, who had been charged with murder and two counts of assault in the May 26, 2024, shooting at the Twin Elks Lodge in Farrell. Hammonds, 22, died from his injuries.

Authorities said the shooting stemmed from a fight. Witnesses told investigators that another man struck Hammonds during the struggle, allowing Lee to break free before allegedly shooting Hammonds.

Lee turned himself in on May 28, 2024, and has been held without bond in the Mercer County Jail since his arrest.