"Craigslist Murder" Trial Update: Closing statements to begin in Richard Beasley case

(CBS/AP) AKRON, Ohio - The murder trial of Richard Beasley, the alleged triggerman in the killings of three men lured by phony Craigslist job offers in Ohio, is winding down.

The trial judge in Akron has scheduled closing statements on Monday. Then the case against 53-year-old Beasley will go to the jury for deliberations.

He is charged with killing three men and wounding a fourth man. Beasley, an ex-convict and one-time street preacher, could face the death penalty if convicted.

He says he knew nothing about the killings and was attacked by the lone survivor as retaliation for serving as a police informant.

Eighteen-year-old co-defendant Brogan Rafferty was convicted and sentenced last year to life in prison without chance of parole. He was subpoenaed to testify against Beasley but the prosecution never called him to the stand.

Complete coverage of the Craigslist Murder Case on Crimesider