Michelle Knight to Castro: 'Your Hell Is Just Beginning'

She testifies at sentencing hearing
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 1, 2013 11:56 AM CDT
Michelle Knight to Castro: 'Your Hell Is Just Beginning'
Michelle Knight speaks during the sentencing phase for Ariel Castro Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Cleveland.   (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Michelle Knight offered heartbreaking testimony today at Ariel Castro's sentencing hearing, describing how much she missed her son during her 11-year ordeal. "I cried every night. I was so alone. I worried what would happen to me and the other girls every day," she said, according to CNN. "You took 11 years of my life away. ... I spent 11 years in hell. Now, your hell is just beginning." Surprisingly, she also said she "can forgive" Castro, though she "will never forget." But, she said, "I will live on" and "overcome what happened."

She referred to fellow captive Gina DeJesus as her "teammate" and said DeJesus saved her when she was "dying from his abuse." DeJesus' cousin and spokesperson also testified, saying "only a higher power" can judge Castro. And Beth Serrano, sister of third victim Amanda Berry, explained that Berry didn't want to testify because she wants to protect her young daughter from hearing details about the case. Click for more testimony from the hearing. (More Ariel Castro stories.)

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