TAMA WOMAN on MAURY

Posted Sep 19, 2006 by Walt Belcher

Updated Sep 19, 2006 at 03:27 PM

  This just in from The Maury Povich Show:

According to a news release from Povich’s production office: on Thursday, Sept. 21,  “MAURY” welcomes people who have survived brutal attacks.

Among them is Sherlitra Nash, 34, of Tampa. Approximately five years ago, Sherlitra was stabbed seven times in the chest, back and face with a razor sharp butcher knife.  She said the man who tried to kill her was her estranged husband, Alan Bernard Griffin.

According to her story, she and and Alan were high school sweethearts who lost touch after school.  “We lost contact with each other for about 10 years, then he found me and we were married,” says Sherlitra.  For awhile, Sherlitra says she had a happy marriage, a beautiful family and a terrific job.  “He (Alan) was loving and kind, but all of that changed.”

The couple’s marriage turned sour when Sherlitra confronted Alan about her suspicion that he was cheating on her.  “That’s when the verbal and the physical abuse started,” Sherlitra says.  “He would slap me, call me fat, ugly (and) tell me nobody would want me.”

The two were separated for a short time, but Alan fell on hard times and needed somewhere to stay, she said.

“I tried to help him out,” says Sherlitra.  The one day, without warning, Alan put a knife to Sherlitra’s throat.  Her voice cracks when she describes what happened next.  Sherlitra says, “He (Alan) beat me … then he raped me.”

Alan was arrested and charged with rape.  He was released on his own recognizance and was awaiting trial when Sherlitra was attacked with a butcher knife.

“One of the wounds was a-half-an-inch away from my heart,” she said. “I was worried about my kids.  I wasn’t really thinking about me.  I just didn’t want my kids to see me that way.”

“My life has changed dramatically,” Sherlitra says.  “I’m afraid all the time.  Every time I go somewhere, I feel like people are looking at my scars on my face.  I feel ugly.  I feel like nobody will ever want me.”

Griffin is currentlyserving a 30-year prison sentence. He received 15 years on the rape charge and 15 years for attempted murder. 

With the “MAURY” show’s help, Sherlita is presented with a dayat a spa. Cassandra Salon and Day Spa in Tampa have donated a spa day for Sherlitra.  Westgate Resorts also is sponsoring a 4-day, 3-night all-expense-paid vacation in Orlando for Sherlitra and her daughters.