Ariel Castro Apologizes At Sentencing Hearing; Blames Porn Addiction

Ariel Castro, who kidnapped and held captive Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus for a period spanning over 10 years, apologized to his victims in court on Wednesday.

When Judge Michael Russo asked Castro if there was anything he wanted to say, he said he wanted to apologize to the victims, which he did towards the end of the hearing, according to CNN. “I am truly sorry," Castro said. "Thank you victims. Please find it in your heart to forgive me.”

Although apologizing to the victims and their families, Castro insisted that not all of the things they’ve accused him of are true. “Accusations that I would come home and beat them are totally wrong,” said Castro. "I'm not a monster. I'm just sick. I have an addiction. Just like an alcoholic has an addiction."

“I was driven by sex,” Castro added. “I believe I am addicted to porn to the point that it makes me impulsive and I lost it," he said, adding that he's "not trying to make excuses."

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"I'm not a violent person. I simply kept them there so they couldn't leave,” Castro continued. “God as my witness, I never beat these women like they're trying to say that I did. I never tortured them," he said.

Knight, who was the first victim taken by Castro, stood up in court to address her kidnapper. "You took 11 years of my life away,” she said, reading from a paper. “I spent 11 years in hell. Now, your hell is just beginning. I can forgive you, but I will never forget."

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors on the case tried to recreate the conditions the three women were kept in by presenting a model of Castro's home. They also presented diary entries written by the victims. Witnesses for the prosecution, including medical experts and police officers, attested to the fact that 100 feet of chains weighting 90 pounds were found at the residence.

Castro pled guilty to all 937 counts levied against him, including kidnapping, rape and aggravated murder for punching Knight’s stomach until she miscarried. If he formally accepts his plea deal, he will face life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 1000 years.

– Chelsea Regan

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