Man indicted in Craigslist killing case

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AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- An Ohio grand jury indicted a 52-year-old man on charges related to his alleged involvement in a Craigslist murder plot in Noble County.

Richard Beasley was indicted on 28 counts for his alleged role in luring men to a farm in Noble County using a fake job ad posted on Craigslist, WEWS-TV, Cleveland, reported.

Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said at least four men were lured to the farm, shot and robbed. Three of the men died, while one escaped.

"We still need more information," said Attorney General Mike DeWine. "Candidly, we don't know if there are more victims or not. We're dealing with serial killings here. Are there more bodies? We frankly do not know. If there are, we need to find them."

Beasley, who has been jailed on unrelated charges since November, was named the "triggerman" and "mastermind" behind the scheme by the court. He faces nine aggravated murder charges, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, theft and more.

If convicted on any of the aggravated murder charges, Beasley could face the death penalty.

"At this point, we are not contemplating a plea deal with Richard Beasley," said Walsh. "There were others contacted in this case, but I can't say how many."

Beasley's alleged partner in crime, Brogan Rafferty, 16, from Stow, also has been charged in the case, but his case is under a gag order. Walsh said she believes the teen "will be a cooperative witness."