Sunday 28 July 2013

Ohio Kidnap Victim Makes Surprise Appearance



One of three women held captive in a Cleveland home for a decade appeared at a public event for the first time since her rescue.

Amanda Berry made a surprise appearance at the RoverFest concert in Cleveland on Saturday night, a day after her abductor pleaded guilty in the case.

She walked on stage with her family and waved at the cheering crowd.

Wearing sunglasses and dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt, Ms Berry smiled broadly while acknowledging the applause, but she didn't address the crowd.

The rapper Nelly called her back to the stage after his music set.

Ariel Castro, a former school bus driver, pleaded guilty to 937 counts in a deal that will send him to prison for life without parole, plus 1,000 years.

Ms Berry, now 27, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight disappeared between 2002 and 2004 when they were 14, 16 and 20 years old.

They escaped in May when Ms Berry kicked out part of a door and called to neighbours for help.

She told a police dispatcher in a dramatic 911 call: "Help me. I'm Amanda Berry. I've been kidnapped, and I've been missing for 10 years, and I'm, I'm here, I'm free now."

Castro, 53, who was arrested and jailed shortly afterward, was accused of raping and beating the three repeatedly.

The women did not attend the court proceeding but said in a statement that they were relieved by the conviction and looking forward to the end of the legal case.

The three recently appeared in an online video thanking the public for their support. They otherwise have tried to stay mostly out of sight and have appealed for privacy.

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