High court denies Akron Craigslist killer’s stay of execution
Convicted COLUMBUS —
Craigslist killer Richard Beasley has been denied a stay of execution.
The Ohio Supreme Court said Beasley, who still has an appeal pending before the high court, filed the request prematurely.
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Beasley’s appeal Sept. 26 and has not yet ruled on the issues his attorneys raised.
Donald Gallick, Beasley’s attorney, argued Beasley didn’t get a fair trial in Summit County because of errors during the trial, including a statement made by a prosecutor, a juror being permitted to remain on the trial, and a mention of Beasley’s criminal past.
Stephen Maher of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office who represented the prosecution, however, argued that Beasley’s trial was fair and the trial judge sided with the defense on several of the issues Gallick raised. He said an overwhelming amount of circumstantial evidence convinced a jury that Beasley was guilty and should be sentenced to death for being the mastermind in a scheme to entice men to a remote spot in southern Ohio — and kill them.
Beasley, 58, of Akron, and his teenage accomplice Brogan Rafferty of Stow were convicted in 2013 of murdering three men and trying to kill another. The murders made national news because Beasley posted ads on Craigslist to lure the men with the promise of a job.
Beasley was sentenced to death, while Rafferty was sentenced to life in prison with no chance or parole.
Beasley and Rafferty were captured after a gun malfunctioned and one of the men escaped and hid in the woods after being shot in the elbow.