Man convicted in deadly Craigslist plot in Ohio

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — A self-styled street preacher accused in a deadly plot to lure men with Craigslist job offers and then rob them was found guilty today of aggravated murder and could face the death penalty.

A jury in Akron returned the verdict in the case against Richard Beasley, who was charged with a high school student with killing two men from Ohio and one from Norfolk, Va. A man from South Carolina was shot but survived and testified about running for his life and hiding in the woods, scared he would bleed to death.

Family members of the victims hugged and wiped away tears as the verdict was read. Beasley, who also was convicted of aggravated robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder in wounding the lone survivor, slumped in his wheelchair, which he uses because of back problems. His mother leaned over and sobbed in the hushed courtroom.

The jury that convicted Beasley will return March 20 to consider whether to recommend the death penalty for him.