Prosecutor may seek death penalty against accused Ohio kidnapper

A prosecutor has said that he may seek the death penalty against the man accused of kidnapping and raping three women in Ohio.

It is understood aggravated murder charges could be filed against Ariel Castro relating to pregnancies terminated by force.

Earlier, he made his first court appearance to hear the charges against him.

"My office will also engage in a formal process in which we evaluate whether to seek charges eligible for the death penalty," said prosecutor Timothy McGinty who is in charge of the case against him.

"Capital punishment must be reserved for those crimes that are truly the worst examples of human conduct."