Woman confronts her ex-husband on trial for kidnapping and raping her while holding her hostage

A husband accused of kidnapping and raping his ex-wife while holding her hostage for two days during a campaign of abuse has sensationally cross-examined her at his own trial.

Trevor Steven Summers, 45, who represented himself at the court in Hillsborough County, Florida, fired a series of disturbing questions at his former spouse Alisa Mathewson – who is accusing him of violence and sexual assault. 

The ex-wife claims that Summers, with who she shares five children, ambushed and raped her in her sleep after breaking into her home on March 11, 2017. 

Among other charges, Summers is facing two counts of attempted first-degree murder – for allegedly smothering his ex-wife with a pillow until she was knocked out, and strangling her with a rope. 

She was assaulted and physically abused over the course of two days when he kidnapped her, she claims. The couple lived in different homes – since they were estranged and and in the process of divorcing at the time. 

Three of their children were asleep in the house at the time, and their eldest daughter, who was 14, is set to testify that her father tricked her into leaving her window open. This was Summers’ alleged entry point. 

Alisa Mathewson held back her emotions while in the witness box at her husband’s trial. She was assaulted and physically abused over the course of two days when he kidnapped her, she claims

DEFENDING HIMSELF: Trevor Steven Summers, 45, who represented himself at the court in Hillsborough County, Florida, fired a series of questions at his former spouse Alisa Mathewson – who is accusing him of violence and sexual assault

Trevor Steven Summers and his ex-wife in a photo posted to social media in July 2016

During the cross examination, Summers asked Mathewson if they ever used scarves during their sexual activity – since this was how she alleges he tied her up during the rape and attack he faces trial for. The duo share five children together

On Wednesday, the alleged rapist made a plea to Judge Christopher C. Sabella during the morning break to represent himself during the latter part of the trial – when his defense lawyers would typically be cross examining the victim. 

The judge warned that he did not consider this a ‘wise’ decision – but ultimately conceded to the request. He said Summers could not approach her while she was on the stand, reports Law and Crime.

When asked by her ‘abusive’ ex-husband if he forced her to have sex with him, Mathewson told the court: ‘You broke into my home in the middle of the night when I was sleeping, attacked me, and tied me up!’

‘I take that as yes, you threatened me to have sex with you! Yes!’

Holding back her emotions, the ex-wife added: ‘Prior to having sex, you did push me, you did hold me down, you did tie me up, you did attack me, and you did break into my home when I was sleeping! You raped me!’ 

After entering the house, Summers sent the children to his own property and proceeded to tie Summers up by her wrists and ankles using scarves – before putting a sock in her mouth and wrapping her entire body in nylon rope, she claims. 

Court heard that he then used Christmas lights to tie her to the bed frame. 

The ex-husband then allegedly tried to kill her by smothering her with a pillow until she lost consciousness.  

During the horrifying two-day ordeal in 2017,  screaming Mathewson was hogtied and forced into a car, while her ex-husband drove through several counties, the trial heard. 

Trevor Steven Summers’ mugshot. A slash can be seen on his neck. Summers allegedly took a razor blade started slitting his own throat, saying: ‘This is what love is. I’m laying my life down for you. You don’t deserve this’ during the kidnapping 

Pictured: Alisa’s dark blue Saturn Outlook, which she was said to have been bundled into during the kidnapping. She briefly tried to escape during a stop at a Walgreens, where an employee testified that he witnessed the ordeal and called 911

Mathewson told the jury at the trial: ‘You broke into my home in the middle of the night when I was sleeping, attacked me, and tied me up!’

At the time of the alleged attack, the couple lived in different homes – since they were estranged and and in the process of divorcing

At one point, she says she attempted to escape while he stopped at a Walgreens parking lot, but he forced her back into the vehicle and sliced one of her wrists as punishment.

A Walgreens employee witnessed the ordeal and called 911 at the time. 

The ex-wife claims he took her to a field in Manatee County, Florida, to hide from law enforcements – but the alleged kidnapper ran out of food and water. He was also going to take her on a chartered boat, but he brought her to a ‘safe house’ instead, she said. 

After an argument inside the car, Summer then started ‘strangling his ex-wife with a rope,’ but Mathewson was able to get him off, despite having her hands tied. 

According to the prosecutor, it was at this moment that the kidnapped ex-wife spotted a cop car.

When he saw the unmarked police car, Summers allegedly took the same razor blade he used to slice her wrist and started slitting his own throat, saying: ‘This is what love is. I’m laying my life down for you. You don’t deserve this.’

Mathewson recalled the bloody ordeal – and said she begged the defendant to stop. 

He said he would cut the ropes off her, but she was able to get her hand out of the loop as law enforcement encircled the car.

She testified: ‘And at this point, law enforcement surrounded the vehicle. My door opened. I was grabbed and taken out. 

During the cross examination, Summers asked Mathewson if they ever used scarves during their sexual activity – since this was how she alleges he tied her up during the rape and attack he faces trial for. 

She responded: ‘I don’t recall a single instance. I don’t recall any.’ 

As well as attempted murder, Summers faces charges of kidnapping and sexual battery. The trial continues.