Amanda Berry, Gina Dejesus and Michelle Knight Kidnapper Ariel Castro Not Allowed to See Daughter, VIDEO
A Cleveland judge denied Ariel Castro's request on Wednesday to be allowed to see his 6-year-old daughter while he is in jail awaiting an August trial on counts of kidnapping, rape and aggravated murder of three women.
Castro fathered the child named Jocelyn who was born to Amanda Berry during her captivity in Castro's Seymour Avenue, Cleveland, home, DNA testing confirmed in May. Judge Michael Russo on Wednesday imposed a no-contact order between Castro and the child in court as Castro stood present in an orange prison suit. The judge also refused to reconsider the order when Castro made the request during the pre-trial hearing.
The court is still considering whether Castro's adult children can be allowed to visit him in jail, according to The Associated Press. The 52-year-old currently has the right to mail or call only his mother and sister, but the conversations will be monitored by an officer.
It was also announced during Wednesday's hearing that Castro is mentally competent enough to stand trial and aid his legal defense, based on a court-ordered evaluation. The Aug. 5 trial date still stands until further notice.
Castro is accused of kidnapping Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight between the years 2002 and 2004. He pleaded not guilty on June 12 to a 329 counts, including aggravated murder for allegedly terminating Knight's pregnancies. Castro was arrested after Berry escaped his home on May 6, got the attention of a neighbor and called 9-1-1. Her escape lead police to rescue her and her daughter as well as the other two women.
Castro was originally arrested with his two brothers but they have been cleared of all charges. He is being held on a $8 million bond. His lawyers mentioned the possibility of a plea deal if the death penalty is no longer considered, according to the news report.
