A scruffy, unshaven Ariel Castro, accused of kidnapping three Cleveland women and holding them captive for nearly 10 years, stood with head down before the judge on Thursday morning and received his bail: A total of $8 million.
That’s $2 million per victim, CNN reported. He is charged with keeping hostage three women — Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus — and a 6-year-old girl. The three women were abducted in three separate incidents in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and reportedly tied and chained at Mr. Castro’s home. The girl was born in captivity to Ms. Berry, various media reported.
Mr. Castro wore a navy blue jumpsuit to the hearing and did not speak, Fox News reported. This was his first court appearance, and it was brief. He didn’t speak once as his charges — four counts of kidnapping, three counts of rape — were read, and he was led back to jail.
The hearing was at Cleveland Municipal Court.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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