Amanda Berry, one of three women held captive in a Cleveland home for a decade by Ariel Castro, made her first public appearance Saturday night at a Cleveland concert called RoverFest.
This has been 27-year-old Berry’s first public appearance since her, Michelle Knight, and Gina DeJesus made a miraculous escape from Castro’s home in May where they were raped, beaten, and forced to live in horrible conditions for a decade. The three victims have made statements in videos but have not otherwise been seen in public.
According to Cleveland.com, the concertgoers were surprised to see Berry walk on stage, smiling and waving, as Rapper Nelly introduced her.
“Everyone, here's Amanda Berry,” he said as she walked on stage, then inviting her backstage with him after he performed.
The day before, Castro pleaded guilty to the nearly 1,000 charges that he faces for kidnapping, imprisoning, and torturing the women for years. He will likely be given life in prison without parole and is being formally sentenced Thursday.
CBS reports that one of the three victims plans to testify live in court against Castro, and the other two may testify via video.