US Craigslist murders: 'Preacher' Richard Beasley faces death penalty

The “mastermind” of a plot to lure men to their deaths with ads on the Craigslist website has been convicted of aggravated murder.

Self-styled street preacher Richard Beasley killed three men after posting bogus job offers. Another was shot but survived, and told how he ran for his life and hid in the woods.

Beasley, 53, could face the death penalty. Accomplice Brogan Rafferty, 16, who he mentored, was jailed for life without parole in November.

The plot centred on an advert for fake jobs on a ranch. Beasley planned to rob the men, who were single and out of work. One was killed near the town of Akron, the others at the farm in south-east Ohio, during bogus job interviews.

Family members of victims Ralph Geiger, 56, David Pauley, 51, and Timothy Kern, 47, hugged and wiped away tears as the jury in Ohio returned their verdict. Beasley slumped in the wheelchair he uses for back problems.

Scott Davis, 49, had told the court in Akron how he pushed Beasley’s weapon aside and was shot in the arm. “I spun round,’’ said Mr Davis. “I was worried about bleeding to death.”

Prosecutor Jonathan Baumoel said Beasley was “the mastermind”. The jury is set to return to consider whether to recommend the death penalty.