Anthony Sowell was arraigned this morning on one count each of attempted murder, felonious assault and rape in connection with a September sexual assault on a woman at his Imperial Avenue home.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John P. O’Donnell added another $1 million to Sowell’s existing $5 million bond and remanded him to the Cuyahoga County Jail after the brief arraignment. He also ordered Sowell to submit to an HIV test. Sowell pleaded not guilty to the rape charge.
Sowell faces five counts of aggravated murder, for which the Cuyahoga County prosecutor could seek the death penalty.
A large number of Cuyahoga County deputies and county corrections officers were stationed in the courtroom and in the hallways outside today.
The charges relate to the woman whose rape led to Sowell’s arrest and the discovery of 11 bodies in and around his home late in October.
Police went to arrest Sowell on Oct. 29, about one month after the woman told them he choked and raped her inside the home. He was not home at the time but police went in and found two bodies.
Investigators found four more bodies the next day. Sowell remained at large for nearly two days until police arrested him walking down a street about a mile from his home Nov. 1.
The body count grew to 11, including a skull found in the basement, as police scoured the house and dug up the yard. Ten of the 11 victims have been identified.
Police said most of the victims had problems with drug and alcohol addiction, which Sowell exploited. Police suspect Sowell lured the victims into his home by offering them liquor or drugs.
The search for more bodies continues on Sowell’s property and the area surrounding his Imperial Avenue home.
Via: Cleveland.com
