AKRON, Ohio — The trial for Stanley Ford, the man charged with more murders than anyone in Summit County history, was declared a mistrial after too many jurors had valid excuses and were afraid of COVID-19. The trial was previously put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ford, 60, is facing 28 charges, including multiple counts of aggravated murder in connection with three Akron fires that happened in 2016 and 2017. Ford has maintained his innocence.
In April of 2016, Lindell Lewis, 65, and his girlfriend, Gloria Jean Hart, 66, were killed in a fire at their home at 719 Fultz Street.
In January of 2017, an SUV parked in the driveway of a home on Russell Avenue was set on fire. No one was injured.
In May of 2017, seven people were killed in a house fire at 693 Fultz Street. The victims were identified at Dennis Huggins, 35, Angela Boggs, 38, and their five children, Cameron Huggins, 1, Alivia Huggins, 3, Kyle Huggins, 5, Daisia Huggins, 6, and Jared Boggs, who was 14. That fire was the deadliest in Akron's history.
A new trial has been set for August 11.
