AKRON, Ohio — Opening statements were held Monday in the new trial of Stanley Ford. It comes after Summit County Judge Christine Croce declared a mistrial in the case last June when Ford's attorney had cited concerns about getting a fair trial during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The judge sent the jury home shortly before 12:30 p.m. Monday after listening to opening statements. The trial will continue at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Ford is accused of setting two Fultz Street fires that caused nine total deaths -- including a family of seven. That incident claimed the lives of Dennis Huggins, Angela Boggs, and their five children, Cameron, Alivia, Kylle, Daisia and Jered. A sixth child, who was 18, was not home at the time of the fire. The previous fire happened about a year earlier, and claimed the lives of Lindell Lewis and Gloria Jean Hart.
Jury selection began earlier this month.
You can watch the opening statements below:
During the original trial, there was some discussion regarding Ford being competent to stand trial.
"I don't think I need to go forward with no competency hearing," Ford told Judge Christine Croce in November of 2019. "I didn't commit a crime to deal with all these different psychologists and psychiatrists. It's not making any sense...The state can't even produce evidence."
After the judge offered an explanation about why the competency hearing was necessary, Ford refused to see a doctor while continuing to maintain his innocence.
“I’m not seeing a doctor," Ford declared. "I’m not signing anymore papers. Just give me a jury trial. Come on, let’s go with it. I’m not going to see a doctor. I’m not seeing no more doctors. I’m done. I’m done with it. It’s not making any sense. I didn’t commit a crime. The state knows that all the evidence that is gathered that I didn’t commit a crime."
Judge Croce continued explaining why the competency hearing is necessary.
“We’re not talking about the evidence, and we’re not getting to that portion of the trial until we get to this about whether I’m convinced that as you sit here today -- or sit in a month for a trial -- you can assist in your defense and that you have the capability of understanding the process,” Judge Croce said.
Judge Croce said the only way to ensure that happens is that he continues working with the doctor to get an “adequate second opinion” regarding his competency.
Then, the following exchange took place:
Ford: “I’m done with that. I’m not seeing no more doctors. Let’s go on with the trial in January.”
Judge Croce: “Well, we’re going forward with the hearing on the 19th, and I’m going to make the determination whether you’re competent to stand trial.”
Ford: “That’s not fair, your Honor.”
Judge Croce: “No, that’s my job, Mr. Ford.”
Ford: “You’re supposed to be fair and just.”
Judge Croce: “I am!”
Ford: “No, you’re not. You won’t even demand the prosecutor to show the evidence.”
Judge Croce: “They don’t have to show the evidence until we have to get to trial. Your attorneys have the evidence. … You may not like the evidence. You may not like what the evidence shows. You can continue to profess your innocence all day long. That’s fine. There is a process. I am in charge of that process. The process is, on the 19th of December, we’re going forward with a competency hearing. Whether you cooperate with the doctor or not is going to put a lot of emphasis on my final decision as to my decision on your competency. I can only implore you – for the last time – to cooperate.”
You can watch the entire exchange in the player below.