CLEVELAND, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A Cleveland man accused of killing 11 women and assaulting three others pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity Thursday, prosecutors said.
Anthony Sowell, 50, was arraigned from his cell via a video conference appearance before a Cuyahoga County, Ohio, common pleas judge, who ordered him to remain jailed without bond, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported. The prosecutor's office had asked bond be set at $14 million, $1 million for each victim.
A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Nothing in Sowell's background indicated he was mentally ill, Assistant Prosecutor Rick Bombik said.
"Quite frankly, he's a psychopath," Bombik added.
Under Ohio law, Sowell must show that he cannot tell the difference between right and wrong, as well as prove mental illness, Bombik said after the arraignment.
"There was a distinct pattern in what he did," said Bombik. "If you will, a method to his madness."
The first two bodies were discovered in late October when police went to Sowell's house with an arrest warrant. Nine more were discovered hidden in the house or buried in the yard. Sowell was arrested Oct. 31.
