Post date: Jul 03, 2013 5:53:57 PM
Ohio judge declares accused Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro competent to stand trial and deniesCastro's request for visits from his 6-year-old daughter, who was born while his mother was allegedly in captivity in Castro's house.
CLEVELAND, OHIO, UNITED STATES (JULY 3, 2013) (NBC) - Accused Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro has been found competent to stand trial on rape and murder charges, a judge said at a hearing Wednesday (July 3).
Castro has been accused of kidnapping three women and holding them prisoner for about a decade in his Cleveland home. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial date has been set for August 5.Cleveland Judge Michael Russo has denied as "inappropriate" Castro's request for visits from his 6-year-old daughter, who was born while his mother was allegedly in captivity in Castro's house.
Ariel Castro, 52, has pleaded not guilty to more than 300 charges against him, including rape and kidnapping and is expected to face more charges in the imprisonment of Amanda Berry, 27, Gina DeJesus, 23, and Michelle Knight, 32.
Castro also is charged with aggravated murder for impregnating Knight between November 2006 and February 2007 and forcing her to miscarry by assaulting her, a charge that carries a possible death sentence.