Craigslist Murder Suspects to be Tried in Summit County, Death Penalty Sought
The Summit County Prosecutor will handle the cases against the two Craigslist murder suspects.
Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said the decision to try both suspects in the Noble County Craigslist murder investigation in Summit County was because it will be in the best interest of the victims and their families.
The 16-year-old former Stow-Munroe Falls High School student has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated murder and complicity to aggravated murder on Nov. 29.
If charges are filed against Richard Beasley, 52, of Akron, in the Craigslist investigation of murder and attempted murder, Walsh said her office will prosecute the case. The prosecutor's office said it plans to seek the death penalty against Beasley if charged.
The teen and Beasley are suspects for their alleged involvement with two deaths and injuring a man in southern Ohio and the death of a man in Summit County.
"In trying the case in Summit County, we will ensure the surviving victim and the families of the other victims do not suffer through multiple lengthy trials and will provide a more convenient location for at least some of the families and the surviving victim," said Walsh.
Beasley is currently being held on $1 million bond for unrelated charges: aggravated trafficking of drugs and prostitution. He has a court date set for Dec. 22.
Patch generally does not name juveniles accused of crimes.
Laura Coon
8:36 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Why hasn't Beasley been charged yet?
lynnette
1:08 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Why? God only knows. I find it more incredible that Walsh is parading the death penalty here. Especially after she/her office went easy on Duffield, who in 2004 not only brutally tortured twin toddlers for approximately a month (one of which died as a result), but also had been convicted on similar crimes previously, locally. Isn't an election year coming up? Funny how an "ify" murder scheme of adults means more to her office than the lives of two precious babies. Gosh, I really hope she is up for re-election. She needs to go.