Ohio hitchhiking killer facing execution

CINCINNATI (AP) — A man known as Ohio’s “homicidal hitchhiker” faces execution for killing a Cincinnati man who gave him a ride 27 years ago.

Michael Beuke is scheduled to die Thursday for the 1983 murder of 27-year-old Robert Craig. Prosecutors said Craig picked up the hitchhiking Beuke and was killed and that Beuke attempted to kill another Ohio motorist and one from Indiana over a 3-week span in the Cincinnati area.

Beuke pleaded not guilty and was convicted Oct. 5, 1983.

The 48-year-old inmate has since admitted his crimes and says he is a remorseful, changed man. Victims’ family members say Beuke deserves to be executed.

He is seeking clemency from Gov. Ted Strickland and has appealed a federal court’s rejection of his request for a stay of execution.