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Craigslist Murder Trial Winding Down

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UPDATE 3:45 PM  The murder trial of the alleged triggerman in the killings of three men lured by phony Craigslist job offers in Ohio is winding down, with the judge instructing the jury on the law.
    
Judge Lynne Callahan in Akron outlined legal aspects of the case for the jury on Monday, including charges that could make 53-year-old defendant Richard Beasley subject to a possible death penalty.
    
The jury was scheduled to deliberate after closing statements from both sides.
    
Beasley is charged with killing three men and wounding a fourth man. Beasley, an ex-convict and one-time street preacher, could face the death penalty if convicted.
    
He says he knew nothing about the killings.
    
Eighteen-year-old co-defendant Brogan Rafferty was convicted and sentenced last year to life in prison without chance of parole.


The murder trial of the alleged triggerman in the killings of three men lured by phony Craigslist job offers in Ohio is winding down.

The trial judge in Akron has scheduled closing statements Monday. Then the case against Richard Beasley, 53, will go to the jury for deliberations.

He's charged with killing three men and wounding a fourth man. Beasley, an ex-convict and one-time street preacher, could face the death penalty if convicted.

He says he knew nothing about the killings and was attacked by the lone survivor as retaliation for serving as a police informant.

Eighteen-year-old co-defendant Brogan Rafferty was convicted and sentenced last year to life in prison without chance of parole. He was subpoenaed to testify against Beasley but the prosecution never called him to the stand.