Competency eval ordered in Ohio captive women case

Competency eval ordered in Ohio captive women case

CLEVELAND (AP) — A judge has ordered a competency evaluation for a man charged with holding three women captive in his Cleveland home for over a decade.

Judge Michael Russo said today he wants to make sure 52-year-old Ariel Castro is able to understand the charges and assist his attorneys.

Prosecutor Tim McGinty also told the judge he would be going back to the grand jury soon to seek additional charges. Castro has already been indicted on 329 counts, including murder, kidnapping and rape. He’s pleaded not guilty.

McGinty says he believes Castro is mentally competent to stand trial and was competent when he committed the crimes.

McGinty hasn’t said if he’ll pursue a death sentence for a charge of forced miscarriage involving one victim.