Ariel Castro Cleveland Kidnapper Gets Life without Parole for 900 Counts of Rape and Murder
Life without parole plus 1,000 years in prison-this was the sentence given by the judge after Ariel Castro, 53, pleaded guilty to over 900 criminal counts that include kidnap, rape, and murder.
Cleveland man Castro was accused of kidnapping and raping three women and keeping them captive in his home for more than a decade. By entering a guilty plea, Castro avoided the death penalty and instead will serve life without parole.
The three women were abducted on different occasions between 2002 and 2004. They were repeatedly raped, beaten, and sometimes restrained in chains in the basement. Castro impregnated one of the women; the child is now six years old. The women were finally freed after one of them kicked part of a door open and screamed for help.
In a report by NBC News, while in court Castro was quoted as saying, "I knew I was going to get pretty much the book thrown at me," when asked by the judge if he was aware of his sentence. He even added that he accepts the fact that he will never get out of jail in his lifetime.
During the hearing, Castro admitted to being addicted to pornography. In a Yahoo! News report, he was quoted as saying, "My addiction to pornography and my sexual problem has really taken a toll on my mind." He added that he himself was a victim of sexual abuse as a child -- but as he spoke he was cut off by the judge.
The women were relieved and fairly satisfied with the sentence and admission by Castro. According to NBC News, in a statement the women released, they are exceedingly grateful for the outpouring of support and the monetary gifts given by the Cleveland Courage Fund. In the same report, one of the women were quoted in a video they released, saying, "I may have been through hell and back, but I am strong enough to walk through hell with a smile on my face, and my head held high, and my feet firmly on the ground."
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