Ariel Castro Offered Plea Deal: Man Accused In Ohio Kidnappings Would Not Face Death If He Accepts

The man who faces close to 1,000 criminal counts in connection with the alleged kidnapping and imprisonment of three Ohio women has been offered a plea deal.

Under the offer from prosecutors, Ariel Castro would be spared the death penalty, WKYC reported on Thursday.

The Detroit Free Press had previously reported that Castro's attorneys demanded that the death penalty be out of the question in any plea deal their client would accept.

Castro is accused of rape, kidnapping and other charges in a 977 count indictment, spurred by his alleged capture and imprisonment of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight.

The Associated Press reported that Castro's attorneys complained earlier this week that prosecutors have not turned over evidence quickly enough.

Castro's trial is scheduled for Aug. 5.