YOUNGSTOWN — A city man could spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury convicted him of rape, murder and other charges in the 2021 slaying of an Austintown woman.

Steve W. Green III, 26, remained stone-faced as Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony M. D’Apolito read the verdicts late Wednesday afternoon.

The jury found Green guilty of aggravated murder and murder, both with firearm specifications, as well as one count each of rape, domestic violence, extortion and tampering with evidence, in the 2021 death of Ashley Lockhart, 25.

“I’m just overwhelmed with emotions, all good ones, because this has been a really long battle, longer than the 2 1/2 years people presume,”Ashley’s friend Nicole Van Horn said. “I definitely feel like we can go home feeling like justice was served and sleep better tonight.”

“For all seven counts to be guilty, I’m so happy,” said Katelyn Lofaro, who witnessed her friend’s murder. “I love her and I miss her, and I hope Ashley can finally rest at peace now knowing that justice was served today.”

Prosecuting attorneys, led by county Prosecutor Gina DeGenova, presented evidence that on the night of Oct. 8, 2021, Green forced Lockhart to have sex with him at his father’s West Side home. He then followed her to Lofaro’s apartment, brandishing his gun out the car window, where he slashed her tire and blocked her vehicle before shooting her six times as she attempted to call 911.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors showed a pattern of graphic threats Green made to Lockhart and stated he intended to kill her and force her to use sex to bargain for her life.

“Why would I give you the satisfaction of having sex?” read one text message, to which Green replied, “Because it’s the satisfaction of knowing you get to live to see another day.”

Another text message revealed that Green warned Lofaro that if they went out to the bar that night, as was their plan, he would kill Lockhart.

Lofaro and Van Horn testified during the trial about the pattern of stalking and violent threats by Green. They said the police were never notified because nobody believed a restraining order would stop Green.

Only two witnesses testified Wednesday: Green and retired Austintown Detective Lt. Jordan Yacovone, who led the case until his retirement at the end of 2022.

Yacovone told the jury that when he responded to the scene that night, Lofaro was receiving calls from Green. When her phone rang while he was attempting to interview her in the back of an ambulance, he took the call and convinced Green to turn himself in.

He said Green confessed to shooting Lockhart and told police where they could find the gun, which Green attempted to discard in Niles after the shooting.

Yacovone said Van Horn contacted him the day after the shooting and provided him with screenshots of text messages Lockhart had sent, documenting the threats Green made.

After Yacovone’s testimony, the prosecution rested and defense attorney Mark Lavelle called Green to the stand.

Green said he had been arguing with Lockhart about a custody issue with their 5-year-old daughter and they met at his father’s house to discuss it. He said he went to Lofaro’s apartment because he had forgotten to give Lockhart money he owed her for his car payment.

Green told the jury that he had remained in his car while Lockhart and Lofaro were screaming at him about slashing her tire, which he denied. He said he only got out of his car when he saw Lockhart making a phone call, because he wanted to know who she was calling. He denied being jealous and possessive when prosecuting attorney Rob Andrews asked him why he needed to know who she was calling.

Green said the that when he reached for the phone, Lockhart reached for his gun, which was sticking out of his pocket. He said he also reached for it, and she then grabbed his wrist, and the gun went off when he tried to pull away from her. He said he blacked out after the first shot and did not remember anything until he was on the phone with Yacovone.

The 911 tape, which prosecutors played for the Jury on Tuesday, contradicted Green’s statements.

After Green’s testimony, Lavelle asked D’Apolito to add a charge of voluntary manslaughter for the jury to consider.

The judge considered the request over lunch, but ultimately denied it before closing arguments began.

“In reviewing the language, I do not find that the evidence presented warrants including that charge,” D’Apolito said. “I also did not find the defendant’s testimony to be credible, so I’m not going to include that instruction for the jury.”

Attorney Caityln Andrews presented the only closing statement in the case, while Lavelle waived his right to a closing argument.

Lockhart’s friends and family kept their composure as D’Apolito read the verdicts, but could be heard suppressing sobs. As Green was led away in handcuffs, prosecutors embraced the family.

“This is Christmas. Today is Christmas for us,” Lofaro said.

“Monday was my birthday, and this is my birthday present,” Van Horn said.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled, but Andrews told Lockhart’s family the murder charges carry a life sentence, and Green is expected to serve a minimum of 23 years before he is eligible for parole.

Visibly emotional, DeGenova lauded the jury’s decision.

“I’m very pleased with this verdict. I believe it was the correct verdict in this case,” she said. “God bless Ashley and her family.”