Ariel Castro Update: Alleged Cleveland kidnapper appears in court Wednesday

(CBS/AP) CLEVELAND - A Cleveland man accused of kidnapping three women and imprisoning them in his house over a decade appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing  Wednesday morning with head hanging down, CBS affiliate WOIO reports.

PICTURES: Ohio women missing for nearly a decade found alive

Without making eye contact, Castro reportedly answered "yes" when asked questions about the proceedings by the judge, and said he had no questions for the court.

Ariel Castro has pleaded not guilty to the more than 300 counts against him, which include rape, kidnapping and felonious assault, among others.

Attorneys for the 52-year-old Castro have hinted they would consider a plea if talk of death penalty charges is taken off the table.

Also Wednesday lawmakers in Columbus planned to discuss a bill that would provide the three women years of relief payments, college tuition and medical assistance.

Castro remains jailed on $8 million bail. His next court hearing is set for June 26, WOIO reports. A tentative Aug. 4 trial date has been set.

Complete coverage of the Cleveland kidnapping case on Crimesider