An Akron man already behind bars on drug and domestic violence charges from 2016 was sentenced Friday to life in prison for a 2010 Barberton rape he was convicted of back in April.
RELATED: Jury finds convicted Akron rapist Derrick Fischer guilty in 2010 Barberton case
The defendant, Derrick Fischer, was found guilty of two counts of rape earlier this year for beating, strangling and raping a woman at a party 14 years ago.
The victim told jurors she was attacked by Fischer at a party in September 2010. She said a knock at the door allowed her to escape from the room she was in.
RELATED: Victim, forensic nurse testify in Akron rapist's trial for 2010 Barberton sexual assault case
DNA evidence linked Fischer to the crime. He's been behind bars since he was convicted in a separate domestic violence and drug case. Fischer was also previously convicted of another rape in Akron more than 30 years ago.
Fischer will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years in prison. If released, he will have to register as a sex offender with the county sheriff's office every three months for the rest of his life.
“Derrick Fischer is a dangerous man with a violent history. My office will fight to keep him in prison for the rest of his life. Thank you to local law enforcement, the assistant prosecutors, and the survivor for their unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of justice in this case,” said Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich
Expired Justice
News 5 first told you about Fischer in an exclusive investigation, “Expired Justice," which revealed how Ohio law allows some rapists to walk free.
RELATED: Despite DNA evidence, statute of limitations prevents prosecution of Ohio rape cases
In 2019, an Akron mother told us DNA from her rape kit matched Fischer. But he was never arrested, charged, or prosecuted for the 1991 crime as the statute of limitations had run out.
According to the Ohio Attorney General’s office, the 1991 Akron case was one of 61 cases where no one can ever be prosecuted, despite a DNA match discovered during the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, which was started in 2012 by then-Attorney General Mike DeWine to DNA test the state’s backlog of sexual assault kits.
