Ariel Castro Pleads Not Guilty to 977 Charges Related to Cleveland Kidnappings, Rapes

Allegedly kept three women in his house against their will for nearly a decade

Ariel Castro, the 52-year-old former school bus driver accused of holding three Cleveland women captive for more than a decade, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to nearly 1,000 rape, kidnapping and sexual abuse charges.

Castro, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, kept his head cast down and his eyes closed as he stood at the podium flanked by his attorneys before Judge Pamela Barker. She repeatedly ordered Castro to pick up his head and open his eyes as she explained his rights.