14 DAY TRIAL // Ariel Castro, the man holding three girls captive in his house for a decade, while raping and torturing them, is pleading not guilty.
As we reported previously, Castro has been charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape in the case of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight.
He will face a grand jury in Cuyahoga County and has enlisted the legal help of attorneys Craig Weintraub and Jaye Schlachet, WKYC writes.
"The initial portrayal by the media has been one of a 'monster' and that's not the impression that I got when I talked to him for three hours.
"I know that family members who have been interviewed by the media have expressed that as well," Weintraub comments.
In previous interrogations, the suspect has described the abductions to police officers. Asked how the victims got in Castro's home if he didn't kidnap them, Weintraub informed that more details would be revealed in court.
"That fact will be disclosed as the case progresses. I am aware of how he came into contact with them," he says.
Schlachet notes that Castro wishes to remain in contact with his daughter with Amanda Berry, which he has fathered after abusing her mother.
"I can tell you that Mr. Castro is extremely committed to the well being and positive future for his daughter, who he loves dearly.
"And if people find that to be a disconnect from what he's alleged to have done, then the people will just have to deal with it. We just know how he feels about his little girl," she mentions.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has confirmed that Jocelyn shares Castro's DNA. He has also impregnated Michelle Knight five times, but forced her to abort by beating her.
"I know the media wants to jump to conclusions and all the people in the community want to say terrible things about the person who's accused," Schlachet adds.