AKRON, Oh. (WTVR) - An Ohio teen was heard on a tape played to jurors Thursday acknowledging he dug a grave for a man allegedly killed as part of a deadly scheme to lure victims with phony Craigslist job offers, including a man from Virginia.
Suspect Brogan Rafferty was also heard telling investigators on the tape played in Summit County court in Akron that the alleged motive for the slaying was stealing the victim’s identity.
The 17-year-year-old has been charged with killing three men with his mentor, 53-year-old Richard Beasley. A fourth victim was shot and injured but escaped.
Rafferty also said on a tape he had driven to Noble County with Beasley where they met David Pauley of Norfolk, Va., for breakfast, then drove toward Caldwell.
The body of Pauley, 51, was found on Noble County property owned by a coal company and often leased to hunters. Investigators say he died Oct. 23 from a gunshot wound to the head.
On Wednesday, prosecutors told jurors a suitcase filled with weapons was found in Rafferty’s bedroom.
Jurors viewed images of a sawed-off shotgun, a .22-caliber pistol, other weapons and ammunition. Authorities say they recovered the cache from his bedroom last fall.
The Akron Beacon Journal reported than none of the weapons has been conclusively linked to the three men Rafferty is accused of killing with Beasley.
Rafferty, who is being tried as an adult, could face life in prison if convicted of the attacks. Beasley is being tried separately.
