The jury in the Brogan Rafferty trial is now deliberating the murder charges for the teenager's role in the Craigslist killings.
Before the jury went behind closed doors on Thursday, Prosecutor John Baumel said the Stow teenager had no excuse for his actions in the killings of three men, and attempted killing of another. For the defense, John Alexander argued that Richard Beasley manipulated Rafferty into the heinous acts, just like the victims were lured in by the online job ads. Rafferty himself took the stand during the week.
Ralph Geiger, Timothy Kern, and David Pauley died in the killings from August through October 2011, while Scott Davis managed to escape. The victims were all shot execution style.
The prosecution also pointed to a "trophy case" full of weapons and other items taken from the murders that Rafferty had in his house. Baumel also pointed to Rafferty's internet search history of mobsters and gangsters to back up the claim of no remorse from the teenager for the three killings and attempt at a fourth.
The defense stood by their claim that Rafferty was not a murderer, even when he had the chance to take down his mentor.
Attorneys for the state said Rafferty showed no signs of nervousness when he met with the potential victims, even though he knew what was eventually going to happen to them. Baumel said Rafferty had a chance to put an end to the whole scheme, but failed to do so. The defense reiterated their clients' statements on the stand, that Beasley threatened him and his family if he told anyone.
In the end, the jury is considering 70 counts against the Stow teenager, including some for aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and gun specifications in the case.
Summit County Common Pleas Judge Lynn Callahan even pointed out that the trial went much faster than they expected. Most people close to the case said it could take as long as six weeks, but it managed to stay within two weeks for all evidence and testimony to be presented.
Beasley, in the meantime, will head to trial for his role in the scheme early next year.
