Ariel Castro, the man police say kidnapped and held captive three girls for more than a decade, was arraigned inside Cleveland Municipal Court Thursday morning where the judge set bail at $2 million for each criminal count he faces.
Ariel Castro, who wore a navy blue jumpsuit and tucked his chin inside his collar at the hearing, did not speak and was read the charges of four counts of kidnapping and rape and one count of kidnapping.
Brian Murphy, the assistant prosecutor, said Ariel Castro kidnapped the three women to use them in a "self-gratifying," "self-serving" way.
"Today the situation has turned, your honor, Mr. Castro stands before you a captive"
- Brian Murphy, the assistant prosecutor
"Two of these victims endured this horrifying ordeal for over a decade, a third for close to a decade," he said.
Murphy said the victims were bound, sexually assaulted and beaten. They were not allowed to leave the home, he said.
"Today the situation has turned, your honor: Mr. Castro stands before you a captive, in captivity, a prisoner, and the women are free," he said
His brothers, who were initially arrested in connection with the investigation, were alongside him in the courtroom after spending four days in jail, but evidence did not support kidnapping charges against them.
Pedro Castro, 54, one brother, pleaded no contest to an open container charge and Onil Castro, 50, had minor misdemeanors from 12 years ago dismissed.
Ariel Castro, 52, who lived in the downtown Cleveland area for 39 years, had no prior felony convictions and was living on unemployment payments.
Two of the alleged victims, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, were reunited with relatives Wednesday in Cleveland. They were greeted by supporters and a large media presence outside the homes. Amanda Berry was seen from a helicopter entering her sister's home with her 6-year-old girl police say she delivered while being held captive.
Michelle Knight, another alleged victim, has been hospitalized at MetroHealth in the area and listed Thursday in good condition.
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