Ohio teen convicted of murder in Craigslist jobs hoax
'Student of violence' helped lure men desperate for work to farm before they were shot dead
An Ohio teenager has been found guilty of aggravated murder for his role in a deadly plot to lure men desperate for work with phoney Craigslist job offers.
Prosecutors in the weeks-long trial painted Brogan Rafferty, 17, as a quick student of violence and willing participant in three killings, while the defence argued he was acting under the duress of his alleged accomplice, a self-styled chaplain depicted as a mentor.
Rafferty helped Richard Beasley lure four victims at separate times with bogus Craigslist job offers to a non-existent cattle farm with the aim of robbery. Beasley shot and killed three of the men; the fourth victim was shot in the arm and survived.
Rafferty stood with his hands clasped behind his back and showed no emotion as the verdicts were read. His mother leaned over and cried softly.
Jack Kern, the father of victim Timothy, Kern flashed a thumbs-up after the verdicts were read. He broke down in tears when he left the courtroom.
Jury forewoman Dana Nash said it was a difficult decision because of Rafferty's age, calling him "a child".
"We were trying to be fair, and we were fair," Nash said. "We listened to everything. We feel we made the right decision."
