AKRON, Ohio — An Akron woman, allegedly sexually assaulted by serial rapist Nathan Ford in 2003, is frustrated over delays of his trial in Summit County.
News 5 is not identifying the 38-year-old woman who said she desperately wants closure for her painful, emotional wounds. The trial, which was scheduled to start this week, has been moved to March 30.
"I just want to get this over with. I want some closure on this," she said. "It seems like right now, I'm just getting the raw end of the stick right now. I mean, that's what I feel like."
In 2016, Akron police matched Ford's DNA to DNA in a rape kit from the victim's case. He was indicted for the rape in September of 2017. In February and July of 2018, Ford was indicted for raping two other women in Summit County from incidents that also took place in 2003.
Court officials said the case has been slowed by a number of requests for continuances by the defense. In addition, Ford is trying for an insanity defense and a recent hand-written motion by Ford asked for a new attorney.
The survivor, who has mentally prepared herself to relive the horrifying events through testimony, said the continuances are stressful.
"It has been hell actually. Nightmares every night. I go to sleep. I don't want to go sleep." she said. "I'm always afraid. I'm scared every day."
The woman said she was walking home on Exchange Street in October of 2003 when a stranger yelled for her to come over. She did and then was forced into any alley behind a business.
"I walked over to him and he grabbed me and he told me that if I made any noises, he would kill me," she said. "He pulled my shirt over my head and he raped me, and while he was raping me, he put his hand on my throat."
Ford, who was a former Lake County probation officer, had two trials in Cuyahoga County for multiple cold case rapes. According to the Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office, he was found guilty of attacks on 13 women or teens. He's serving life in prison without parole.
The Akron survivor who spoke to News 5 calls Ford "a monster."
"Why do you have to do that to innocent people? We didn't do nothing to deserve what you did to us," she said.
Despite her fear and frustration over waiting more than 16 years for potential justice, the survivor said she will be ready to take the witness chair no matter how long it takes.
"I want to take the stand," she said. "I want him to get every bit of what's got coming to him."
