Court rejects Warren serial rapist David Honzu's appeal

David Honzu

A man labeled a "serial rapist" by Trumbull Co. prosecutors has had his appeal request to free him from prison while he appeals four life sentences denied by a Federal judge in Ohio's 11th District Court Monday.

The Ohio 11th District Court of Appeals rejected 66-year-old David Honzu's appeal to his 2022 case involving an attempted kidnapping at a self-service car wash in Champion.

The same court two weeks ago denied Honzu’s appeal on conviction and consecutive prison sentence on three counts of kidnapping and two counts of rape related to the 2007 rape of a woman in Warren.

In late 2022, Honzu was sentenced to a 17-year to life prison term in the attempted kidnapping case and 60 years to life in prison to be served consecutively for conviction in the kidnapping and rape case.

Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Ronald Rice declared Honzu a sexually violent predator and a repeat violent offender, which added more years to his prison time.  Under terms of Honzu’s sentence, he wouldn’t be eligible for parole until he is 140 years old.

In his latest appeal, Honzu raised one assignment of error, contending the trial court erred by denying his petition without an evidentiary hearing. However, the court found Honzu’s appeal was without merit.