Reports are suggesting Ariel Castro, the man accused of holding three Cleveland women hostage for 10 years, may accept a plea deal on July 26 in order to avoid the death penalty.
"My understanding is that the parties have discussed possible pleas and that you're working to see if that would be an effective resolution, is that correct?" The L.A Times says Judge Michael Russo asked.
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The defense and prosecution responded by saying "yes" to the judge. As he has in all of his court appearances, Castro kept his head down and responded to the judge with a barely audible yes or no.
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Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were all held as prisoners in the Cleveland home owned by Castro. The three women were repeatedly beaten and raped by Castro. Castro is currently being held on eight-million dollars bail. If he goes to trial Castro will face 977 counts of kidnapping, rape and aggravated murder.
When she was rescued, Michelle Knight told police she had become pregnant by Castro five times. Each time the woman became pregnant, she told investigators Castro would starve and beat her, causing a miscarriage. The prosecutor has said he is considering the death penalty for the aggravated murder charge.
RELATED: Ariel Castro Could Face Death Penalty; DNA Proves Cleveland Suspect Is The Father Of Amanda Berry's Daughter
DNA proved Ariel Castro is the father of Amanda Berry's six-year-old daughter. Berry was forced to give birth to her daughter in a plastic kiddie pool. Michelle Knight was forced to deliver Berry's child under the threat of death if anything happened to the baby.
If the prosecutor and the defense reach a plea deal Castro will not be put on trial, which is scheduled to begin August 5. The three women held hostage in Cleveland had remained silent following their rescue, but recently released a YouTube video thanking people who helped bring them home.
Lawyers for the women have made statements saying Castro's victims hope this entire ordeal will be over as soon as possible.
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