Ariel Castro will plead not guilty to the kidnapping and rape charges he faces over the alleged abduction of three Cleveland women, according to his lawyers.
Prosecutors have alleged that for nearly a decade the 52-year-old operated what constitutes as a prison and torture chamber inside of his home, adding that Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were kept incarcerated and often chained up during their abductions.
Castro’s attorneys have hit the media trail explaining their client’s decision to plead not guilty.
Castro’s co-counsel, attorney Jaye Schlachet said:
“He is a human being, but what is offensive is that the women and the media want to demonize this man before they know the whole story, and I think it’s unfair and not equitable.”
Co-counsel Craig Weintraub added in an interview with Today that, “The initial portrayal of him is one of a quote ‘monster,’ and that is not the impression that I got.”
DNA tests have shown that Castro is the father of a daughter with one of his alleged 3 captives, Amanda Berry. While speaking with WKYC, Weintraub said, “Mr. Castro is extremely committed to the well-being and positive future of his daughter, who he loves and cares about.”
Many experts who’ve examined this case stated that if this were to go to trial, which is what will happen if Castro pleads not guilty, it would force the three women to relive the horrors that police said took place in the home.
