The brothers of the Cleveland sicko accused of hiding three women as sex slaves for a decade say they were in the dark about his vile behavior.
“I couldn’t never think of doing anything like that,” Pedro Castro, the older brother of alleged kidnapper Ariel Castro, told CNN in an interview airing Monday. “If I knew that my brother was doing this … I would call the cops cause that ain’t right.”
He added that he is paying for the sins of his brother.
“It’s going to haunt me down because people going to think, ‘Yeah, Pedro got something to do with this,’ and Pedro don’t have nothing to do with this,” the 54-year-old said. “If I knew, I would have reported it, brother or no brother.”
He and younger brother Onil Castro, 50, were arrested last Monday in connection with the shocking kidnappings that have baffled Cleveland cops since 2002 and stunned a nation.
Ariel Castro, 52, a musician and former school bus driver, was charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape. His bail was set at $8 million during his arraignment Thursday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ariel Castro, 52, a musician and former school bus driver, has been charged with four counts of kidnapping — one for each woman and one for his 6-year-old daughter.
A fourth kidnapping charge is related to a 6-year-old girl whom prosecutors say Ariel Castro fathered with victim Amanda Berry, now 27.
Pedro and Onil Castro were released after police found no evidence linking them to the crimes.
“I was a very liked person, individual,” Onil Castro told CNN. “I’ve never had any enemies. No reason for anybody to think that I would ever do something like that. It’s a shock to all my friends. They couldn’t believe it.”
After receiving death threats online and having their homes vandalized, the brothers are now in hiding along with other family members, including their 71-year-old mother, CNN reported.
The brothers said they are now forced to spend the rest of their lives clearing their names.
“The people out there that know me, they know that Onil Castro is not that person and has nothing to do with that — would never even think of something like that,” the youngest brother said.
An undated photo of Ariel Castro, believed to be with one of his daughters.
In interviews last week, Ariel Castro’s other family members apologized and said they, too, had no clue that women were being held captive inside the home.
Among those offering remorse was Ariel Castro’s 22-year-old daughter, Arlene Castro, who was a friend of victim Gina DeJesus.
“I am absolutely so, so sorry,” Arlene Castro said.
An attorney for Berry, DeJesus and the third victim, Michelle Knight, said Sunday that they are extremely grateful for the support and asked for privacy while they recover with family.
“I am so happy to be home, and I want to thank everybody for all your prayers,” DeJesus said in a statement read by attorney Jim Wooley. “I just want time now to be with my family.”
JOHN GRESS/REUTERS
Pedro Castro (center) and Onil Castro (l.) were freed Thursday after Ariel Castro was arraigned. His bail was set at $8 million.
Knight, who was the first to disappear and the last of the three released from the hospital, thanked everyone for their support and good wishes in her statement.
“I am healthy, happy and safe and will reach out to family, friends and supporters in good time.”
Berry added: “Thank you so much for everything you’re doing and continue to do. I am so happy to be home with my family.”
The attorney said none of the women will do any media interviews until the criminal case against Castro is over. He also asked that they be given privacy.
“Give them the time, the space, and the privacy so that they can continue to get stronger,” Wooley said.
Read more: NY Daily News
Leave a reply