A jury will resume deliberations Monday after failing to reach a decision Friday in the case of a fired Warren City police officer who is accused of raping several women and described by prosecutors as a "serial rapist."

After deliberating for nearly seven hours on Friday, no verdict was reached and the jurors were sent home for the weekend. 

During closing arguments on Thursday, the prosecution reminded the jury of the testimony from the victims. Prosecutor Gabe Wildman said Edwards "preyed on [Victim #1] like a shark" and reiterated the power dynamic between Edwards and his victims.

"[Edwards] loves the fact that he's a police officer. He can order people around, summon them and they have to listen to him," Wildman said.

Wildman reiterated that Victim #1, as well as many of the other victims, were prostitutes and drug addicts and reminded the jury of testimony that Edwards would say things like "What are you going to do to keep me quiet?"

"He thinks he's above the law. He this he is the law. He thinks that badge lets him do whatever he wants," Wildman said.

He reminded that jury that if the defense makes an argument that the alleged victims willingly participated in the acts, they only did so because of Edwards's position as a police officer in uniform.

The defense was up next with defense attorney Frank Cassese saying that Edwards did "one of the top three dumbest things you could do as a policeman" but argued that the alleged victims were using Edwards as much as he was using them.

Cassese reminded the jury to ask themselves if the alleged victims truly were raped or sexually assaulted bringing up the fact that Victim #1 said "Why'd you stop" in the video mentioned above.

However, Prosecutor Wildman argued that based on the video, Victim #1 was not enjoying the sex act being performed stating that she did not say that or react at all until after Edwards said "It seems like you're not into it much."

Cassese concluded his arguments by saying Edwards should be found not guilty, adding that they are not condoning his behavior, but letting the state of Ohio know they do not have the necessary proof to convict him on the charges against him.

Edwards was originally accused of raping one victim. An indictment revealed even more allegations. According to court documents, Edwards victimized four women.

Edwards is charged with five counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, three counts of rape, three counts of sexual battery, two counts of menacing by stalking, and two counts of attempted gross sexual imposition, all with firearm specifications.

Additionally, Edwards is facing charges of two counts of extortion, two counts of theft in office, and two counts of dereliction of duty.

A superseding indictment filed on March 21 reveals this alleged conduct to have occurred between the summer or fall of 2023 and January of 2024, which is when the allegations came to light.

Prosecutors say one of the alleged incidents involved Edwards threatening to leak sensitive information about the alleged victim if she did not submit to his sexual advances. Prosecutors say Edwards's sexual activity with this alleged victim was captured on camera. 

During the trial, Michael Edwards himself did not take the stand. However, two more alleged victims did give testimonies. 

The defense spent the majority of Thursday morning questioning how good the first victim's memory was. She admitted to being on several drugs during the incidents and being a prostitute at the time. The victim also admitted to maybe mixing up some details but felt the jury should still believe her.

“I’m trying to recollect everything to the best of my ability … a lot of things are hazy but there are some things that you just don't forget,” she said adding that she suffers from PTSD. 

The second victim detailed her incident to the jury, saying Edwards came to her apartment to follow up on a 911 call she had made days before and forced her to give him oral sex while her children were upstairs. 

“I did not want this to happen…after he left and said make sure you keep this between us…he shut my door. I locked it. I ran to my living room, dropped down to my knees …and bawled my eyes out.”