The man suspected of kidnapping three women and holding them captive in his Cleveland home for about a decade pleaded not guilty to all 329 charges related to the crime, the Associated Press reports.
Ariel Castro, 52, was arraigned Wednesday morning. He didn't say anything in court.
One of Castro's lawyers, Craig Weintraub, said this in an interview with local news station WKYC last month:
"The initial portrayal by the media has been one of a 'monster' and that's not the impression that I got when I talked to him for three hours. I know that family members who have been interviewed by the media have expressed that as well."
Two 19 Action News reporters tweeted after the hearing that one of Castro's attorneys admitted some of the charges can't be disputed and that Castro would consider a plea deal for life in prison.
Attorneys are trying to avoid the death penalty.
The charges Castro pleaded not guilty to include kidnapping, rape, and aggravated murder for the abortions he allegedly forced on one woman.
All three women he is accused of kidnapping and imprisoning escaped alive. A leaked police report reveals that one of the women, Amanda Berry, said she was able to escape after Castro forgot to lock one of the house's interior doors when he left to get food. Berry then kicked out the front door with the help of a neighbor, who heard her screaming.
Berry reportedly birthed a daughter while in captivity. The daughter is now 6 years old.
The women were reportedly held in chains and beaten while imprisoned in Castro's house. He allegedly abducted each of them from the same neighborhood on different dates.
Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight released this statement after the arraignment, according to FOX 8 News in Cleveland:
"We understand the legal process needs to run its course. That said, days like today are not easy. We are hopeful for a just and prompt resolution. We have great faith in the prosecutor’s office and the court."
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