In one of the most notorious and revolting kidnapping cases in recent times, Ariel Castro has arrived at a plea deal that will spare him from the death penalty, and also spare his victims, three young women, whom he kidnapped and raped for about a decade, from having to testify. The judge told Castro that he would be labeled a sexual predator, and though Castro at one point interrupted to say that he was “also a victim as a child” the judge told him he could make a statement during the sentencing hearing.
Other peculiar utterances from Castro include his explanation that his comprehension of English isn’t that great because “my addiction to pornography and my sexual problem has really taken a toll on my mind.” He meanwhile repeated “guilty” when asked how he pleads to 937 of the original 977 charges brought against him.
The details of the plea stipulate that he will never get a parole hearing, and will go to prison for life, plus 1,000 years. Another stipulation under the plea will be that the house where the women were imprisoned will be demolished.
The firm representing the three woman agreed to the plea, saying, “Amanda, Gina, and Michelle are relieved by today’s plea,” according to Jones Day.
None of them were eager to take the stand and relive the horrid details of the imprisonment, rape, and so forth, that even involved the forced abortion of one of their children who was fathered by Castro. Amanda Berry’s 6-year-old daughter, meanwhile, was confirmed by DNA testing to be Castro’s child.
Though the women are grateful for the public support they have received, they do not wish to talk to the media or be interviewed, though they did release a YouTube video expressing their gratitude for well-wishers, and in the case of Michelle Knight, her confidence that her life is under God’s control.