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Ariel Castro's lawyers in talks with prosecution for possible plea deal | Ariel Castro's lawyers in talks with prosecution for possible plea deal |
(2 months later) | |
Prosecutors and lawyers for a Cleveland man accused of holding three women captive in his home for more than a decade signaled Wednesday that they are talking about a possible plea deal. | Prosecutors and lawyers for a Cleveland man accused of holding three women captive in his home for more than a decade signaled Wednesday that they are talking about a possible plea deal. |
With a trial less than two weeks away, there was no mention of whether the prosecutor will seek the death penalty. Attorneys for Ariel Castro, 53, say a deal is dependent on taking it off the table. | With a trial less than two weeks away, there was no mention of whether the prosecutor will seek the death penalty. Attorneys for Ariel Castro, 53, say a deal is dependent on taking it off the table. |
"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?" Judge Michael Russo asked. | "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?" Judge Michael Russo asked. |
Both sides responded "yes" without elaboration and left the courtroom without commenting. Last month, the judge had mentioned the possibility of a plea deal raised by the defense. | Both sides responded "yes" without elaboration and left the courtroom without commenting. Last month, the judge had mentioned the possibility of a plea deal raised by the defense. |
Castro mostly kept his head down during the brief hearing and quietly answered "yes" to routine questions from the judge. | Castro mostly kept his head down during the brief hearing and quietly answered "yes" to routine questions from the judge. |
The hearing focused on the trial date, 5 August, and whether the prosecution had provided its evidence to the defense in a timely fashion, as required. | The hearing focused on the trial date, 5 August, and whether the prosecution had provided its evidence to the defense in a timely fashion, as required. |
The defense attorneys have been given more discovery evidence "in a shorter period of time than any case in the history of this county," Cuyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty said. | The defense attorneys have been given more discovery evidence "in a shorter period of time than any case in the history of this county," Cuyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty said. |
But Castro's defense team said the prosecution had missed the deadline for sharing its evidence three weeks before a trial. | But Castro's defense team said the prosecution had missed the deadline for sharing its evidence three weeks before a trial. |
Prosecutors said they would share forensic evidence from a state crime laboratory as soon as they receive it. The evidence wasn't specified in court. | Prosecutors said they would share forensic evidence from a state crime laboratory as soon as they receive it. The evidence wasn't specified in court. |
McGinty acknowledged the time demands to review evidence and prepare for trial and added, "We've got nearly 1,000 counts in a period of 10 years of solid crime – never stopped, day after day after day." | McGinty acknowledged the time demands to review evidence and prepare for trial and added, "We've got nearly 1,000 counts in a period of 10 years of solid crime – never stopped, day after day after day." |
The judge cut McGinty off, saying it wasn't time for speeches. | The judge cut McGinty off, saying it wasn't time for speeches. |
As in previous court appearances, Castro was dressed in an orange jail outfit and kept his chin tucked to his chest for most of the hearing. He has pleaded not guilty. | As in previous court appearances, Castro was dressed in an orange jail outfit and kept his chin tucked to his chest for most of the hearing. He has pleaded not guilty. |
The 977-count indictment charges him with two counts of aggravated murder related to one act: accusations that he punched and starved one woman until she miscarried. He also is charged with hundreds of counts of kidnapping and rape, plus assault and other counts. | The 977-count indictment charges him with two counts of aggravated murder related to one act: accusations that he punched and starved one woman until she miscarried. He also is charged with hundreds of counts of kidnapping and rape, plus assault and other counts. |
Castro is accused of repeatedly restraining the women, sometimes chaining them to a pole in a basement, to a bedroom heater or inside a van. The charges say one of the women tried to escape and he assaulted her with a vacuum cord around her neck. | Castro is accused of repeatedly restraining the women, sometimes chaining them to a pole in a basement, to a bedroom heater or inside a van. The charges say one of the women tried to escape and he assaulted her with a vacuum cord around her neck. |
The three disappeared separately between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16 and 20 years old. Each said they had accepted a ride from Castro. | The three disappeared separately between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16 and 20 years old. Each said they had accepted a ride from Castro. |
They escaped to freedom May 6 when one kicked out part of a door and called to neighbors for help. Castro was arrested within hours. | They escaped to freedom May 6 when one kicked out part of a door and called to neighbors for help. Castro was arrested within hours. |
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