The so-called Craigslist Killer, Richard James Beasley, 53, has just been found guilty of aggravated murder, a charge that will most likely carry the death penalty. The verdict came down just before 6 p.m. today.
In 2011, Beasley shot and killed Ralph Geiger in Akron, Ohio, reports Ohio.com. Beasley had lured men to his farm under the pretense of hiring them as farm hands only to kill them.
Beasley sat slumped over in a wheelchair that he uses due to back problems, meanwhile, his mother openly sobbed as Summit County Common Pleas Judge Lynne Callahan read out the jury's decision. Elsewhere in the courtroom, the victim's families tearfully embraced each other.
Attorney James L. Burdon Consults with his Client Richard Beasley
Beasley has also been indicted for the murders of David Pauley from Virginia and Timothy Kern of Massillon, Ohio. One potential victim Scott William Davis, was shot but managed to survive. During the trial, Davis testified about his fear as he ran for his life, hiding in the woods, afraid of bleeding to death. He lived to tell the tale.
Scott W. Davis on verdict: "I'm glad it was a guilty verdict. Justice was served. The only person that is a liar is Richard Beasley."
— Ed Balint (@ebalintREP) March 12, 2013
In October 2012, Beasley's accomplice, 17-year-old Brogan Rafferty was sentenced to life in prison by an Ohio court as a "willing participant in murder." Despite Rafferty's assertion that Beasley: "Made [him] do it."
Brogan Rafferty prior to his verdict being read out in October 2012.
