Ariel Castro the man accused of holding three women against their will in the basement of his Ohio home for 10-years, will plead not guilty to the charges of kidnapping and rape.
Castro's defense lawyer, Jaye Schlachet is claiming the "monster" being portrayed by the media is not who Ariel Castro truly is. According to the BBC Schlachet told the media that Ariel Castro is "not a monster and shouldn't be demonized."
Another one of Castro's lawyers, Craig Weintraub told the Cleveland news station WKYC,
"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."
Speaking with the media Schlachet said he believes in his client's innocence and that proof his client is not guilty "will be disclosed as the case progresses."
Castro already confessed his guilt in a suicide note he wrote a few years ago. As previously reported by the Latin Times, Ariel Castro was planning on killing himself. In the note found by police Castro blames his victims for allowing themselves to be kidnapped.
Castro is not the only one blaming his victims, defense lawyer Schlachet is also blaming the victims for the way his client is seen by the media.
"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," Schlachet told the press.
Castro is accused of kidnapping and raping Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus. Two of the girls, Berry and DeJesus were still teenagers when they were taken. Knight was in her 20's.
DNA taken from a 6-year-old girl living in the house with the kidnapped women proves that the child's mother is victim Amanda Berry and the father is Ariel Castro.
Reports are saying that Castro is pleading not guilty for the sake of his young daughter. Yahoo News has Schlachet as saying Castro loves his daughter and wants her to have a good life.
"I can tell you that Mr. Castro is extremely committed to the wellbeing and positive future for his daughter, who he loves dearly."
Schlachet added, "And if people find that to be a disconnect from what he's alleged to have done, then the people will just have to deal with it. We just know how he feels about his little girl."
Ariel Castro is so far charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape. The Los Angeles Times says new charges may be added including aggravated murder. Castro is accused of beating Michelle Knight so hard she miscarried 5-times.
Castro is currently awaiting trial on $8 million bail and is in the Cuyahoga County Jail. Ariel Castro could face the death penalty if convicted for his crimes. One of Castro's daughters, Arlene Castro told the press she believes her father deserves the death penalty for what he did.
Arlene Castro was friends with Gina DeJesus when the girls were teens. Arlene Castro was one of the last people to see Gina DeJesus walking home from school. In another odd twist in the DeJesus case, Gina's mother was interviewed about her daughter by Ariel Castro's son, while he was in journalism school.
The trial of Ariel Castro has not yet begun but in the court of public opinion he has already been found guilty.
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