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McGinty Considers Death Sentence For Castro

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty may review the death penalty option for Ariel Castro (inset). (pic by Brian Bull)
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty may review the death penalty option for Ariel Castro (inset). (pic by Brian Bull)

Tim McGinty referred to Castro as a “child kidnapper” who operated a “torture chamber and private prison” in the heart of Cleveland. He told reporters that as he prepares to present the case to a Cuyahoga County grand jury, he’ll do a methodical evaluation of the evidence removed from Castros’ home on Seymour Avenue. McGinty said he will also pursue justice that is “swift, relentless, and fair.”

“Based on the facts," began McGinty, "I fully intend to seek charges for each and every act of sexual violence, rape, each day of kidnapping, every felonious assault, all his attempted murders, and each act of aggravated murder he committed by terminating pregnancies that the offender perpetuated against the hostages, during this decade long ordeal.”

If McGinty applies that standard, that could mean hundreds - even thousands - of additional charges from his office. He outlined his case for considering the death penalty for Castro.

“Capital punishment must be reserved for those crimes that are truly the worst examples of human conduct. The reality is, we still have brutal criminals in our midst, who have no respect for the rule of law or human life. The law of Ohio calls for the death penalty for the most depraved criminals, who commit aggravated murder in the course of a kidnapping.”

Castro remains held on $8 million bail, and is on suicide watch.