Craigslist Murder Trial: Guilty Verdict For Ohio Street Preacher

The jury is in. The Ohio Craigslist killer has been found guilty of the heinous murders of three men.

The street preacher accused of joining forcers with a high school student in a murderous plot to lure men with Craigslist job posts and then rob them was found guilty Tuesday of aggravated murder and could face the death penalty.

The Akron, Ohio jury came back with the guilty verdict in the case against Richard Beasley, who was charged with the murders of three men, two from Ohio and one from Norfolk, Virginia.

A man from South Carolina was also attacked and suffered a gunshot wound, but survived. He was the primary witness for the prosecution. He testified in court saying he had to run for his life and hide in the woods.

Family members of the victims embraced each other as the verdict was read, relieved that justice was served.

Beasley, who also was convicted of aggravated robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder.

The jury that reached the guilty verdict will return to court March 20 to deliberate over whether or not they should recommend the death penalty for the case.

The 16-year-old student who worked alongside Beasley in the heinous crimes, Brogan Rafferty, was convicted and sentenced last year to life in prison without the chance of parole.

Prosecutors said the victims were lured by Beasley with offers of farmhand jobs.

One victim was killed near Akron and the others were shot on a farm in southeastern Ohio during fake job interviews.

Prosecutors said it was a miracle that Scott Davis, the sole survivor of the Craigslist killer, survived the encounter. He was also the star witness for Rafferty's trial last year.

Rafferty, now 18, said the crimes were terrible but he could not notify police at the time for fear of his own life.

When the Beasley jury reconvenes later this month, they will hear evidence on whether or not the guilty verdict should carry a death sentence.