CLEVELAND, Ohio – Legal analysts say the man accused of kidnapping three Cleveland women and locking them inside his house for a decade is not in much danger of a death sentence, or even facing trial.
Ariel Castro will face a judge today to be arraigned on 329 counts of kidnapping, rape and other charges in the disappearances of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight.
The women were found alive last month when Berry made a break for freedom from Castro’s west Cleveland home.
Observers say don’t expect Castro, 52, to get the death penalty despite being charged with aggravated murder because he forced Knight to miscarry.
Analyst Royal Oakes says there’s little proof Castro purposely ended Knight’s pregnancy.
Oakes also expects Castro to eventually cut a plea deal.