The trial of a former Warren Police Officer, described by a prosecutor as the “most prolific serial rapist in Trumbull County history”, has been delayed until later in September.

The trial of 43-year-old Michael Edwards Jr. was originally scheduled to begin September 4. However, this was delayed slightly due to a potential scheduling conflict.

Edwards's attorney Dave Betras told Judge Cynthia Rice that because she is scheduled to go to a judicial conference in Columbus a week after the trial was scheduled to begin, he did not want a rushed verdict.

Judge Rice offered to leave the weeks of September 16 and 23 open for Edwards's trial in case it would last longer than a week. The defense and prosecution did not object to this offer, so Edwards's trial is set to begin September 16.

Prosecutors said they plan to call more than 20 people to the witness stand including all of the alleged victims. 

Additionally, a hearing has been scheduled for September 10 for any potential motions filed in the case, but this hearing could be called off if no new motions are filed by the defense or prosecution.

Edwards is accused of victimizing six women while serving as a Warren City Police Officer.

According to court documents, Edwards forcefully touched alleged victims on their breasts, buttocks, and genitalia and forced them to have various forms of sexual intercourse with him.

Edwards also allegedly engaged in repeated contact with a victim including following her, asking her for sexually explicit photos, and asking to touch her sexually.

Court documents allege that the conduct has been going on since at least February 2020 and occurred while he was on duty as a police officer. 

Edwards is accused of preying on women who were struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and all but one of them resorted to prostitution at some point.

The former officer is scheduled to go on trial on September 4 on five counts of gross sexual imposition, two counts of extortion, eight counts rape, three counts of sexual battery with sexually violent predator specifications, two counts of theft in office, two counts of dereliction of duty, one count menacing by stalking, and one count attempted gross sexual imposition.  

Because prosecutors say a firearm was used during several of the alleged crimes, Edwards could face a harsher sentence if convicted.

Edwards has pleaded not guilty to the charges.