Craigslist suspect to be tried as adult

CALDWELL, Ohio, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A 16-year-old suspect in Ohio will be tried for murder as an adult in the so-called Craigslist shootings, officials said Thursday.

Brogan Rafferty, of Stow, is charged with aggravated murder and attempted murder for allegedly helping Richard Beasley, of Akron, in the shooting death of David Pauley, 51, of Virginia and the Nov. 6 wounding of Scott Davis, 48, the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal reported.

Noble County Prosecutor Clifford Sickler said Rafferty has been cooperative and a plea "could happen soon."

Rafferty waived his right to a probable cause hearing in Noble County Juvenile Court Thursday and was being held on $1 million bond. His trial has not been scheduled.

The two shootings are linked to two other deaths. The bodies of Timothy Kern, 48, of Massillon, and Ralph Geiger, 55, of Akron, were found Nov. 25 near where Pauley's body was buried.

The victims are known to have responded to an ad that offered $300 a week and a trailer home for watching over a cattle farm in eastern Ohio, CNN reported.

Beasley was being held on $1 million bond on unrelated charges of drug trafficking and compelling prostitution. He has said he is innocent and no formal charges for the shootings have been filed against him, the Beacon Journal said.