Woman held captive, shot by her lover speaks to ABC12 - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(01/29/13) - A Mid-Michigan woman who was shot and held captive for five days by her lover, is speaking out about the ordeal.

Thirty-three-year-old Cynthia Hartman tried to end the relationship when she shot on Jan. 15.

Hartman is married, but she says she and her husband were going through a tough time. That's when she got into a relationship with a man she met while taking a class at Delta college. A man that she did not know had a criminal past.

"He came back as I was getting ready to leave, and he saw everything packed," Hartman said.

That's how she describes the moment she knew she could be in danger. She had been staying with 31-year-old Shaun Cleary in a cabin in Hay Township in Gladwin County. Hartman says she and Cleary had been staying at the cabin for two months. During that time, she decided to break off the relationship and go back to her husband. A decision she says Clearly didn't like.

Her injuries from two gunshot wounds are still evident. She says the fragments are still in her head.

"I begged him to stop, and there was blood everywhere," she said.

Hartman says she was duct taped and from that Tuesday morning until the following Saturday night, she says she was held captive by Cleary.

"I shouldn't be alive, I don't know how I am. It was just hell. I have never been more scared in my life. I didn't think I would live through it," she said.

Hartman relived those horrific moments Tuesday with her attorney, and her husband Dennis, at her side. During those five days in captivity, she thought about escaping.

"There were probably many opportunities. I didn't know if I could do it, and get away. I knew if I tried and I didn't get away, he would kill me," she said.

Hartman says she eventually broke free and ran to a neighbor, who called 911. Cleary was arrested.

Hartman says she didn't know that Cleary had a criminal past. According to Gladwin County investigators, Cleary had been charged with assault with intent to murder in an attack on another woman. Records indicate he was sentenced to 8 to 20 years in prison. He was paroled in October of 2011.

"Even now it doesn't make sense to me. This man was never mean to me, never showed violence, never indicated that he was capable of this," Hartman said.

Hartman has three children.

Cleary faces kidnapping and assault with intent to murder charges. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.