Cleveland Kidnapper Faces 329 Charges ... So Far
Ariel Castro, who allegedly kidnapped three women and held them captive in his home for the last decade, was indicted today on a whopping 329 charges, including two counts of aggravated murder of a fetus. As those only cover through February 2007, it's very likely even more will be added.
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These will take the place of the seven counts he was charged with at his May arraignment. Here's the rundown:
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177 counts of kidnapping
139 counts of rape
7 counts of gross sexual imposition
3 counts of felonious assault
2 counts of aggravated murder of a fetus
1 count of possession of criminal tools
The 142-page indictment contains even more horrifying details about what Castro's alleged victims were forced to endure that were previously unknown. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
One of the women, identified as Jane Doe 2, tried to escape from the home in 2003, and was later chained to a pole in the basement with motorcycle helmet on her head, according to the charge. She also had her legs and mouth taped, she was chained to a heater in a bathroom, and assaulted with a vacuum cleaner cord around her neck, the indictments said.
The murder charges will allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty, though Cuyahoga County prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty told the Plain Dealer that he will not decide whether or not to do so until the indictment process is complete.
RELATED: The Broken Families on Both Sides of the Cleveland Kidnappings
Castro still plans to plead not guilty, according to his lawyers. He is currently being held on an $8 million bail. According to the AP, he is not accepting media interview requests.
