Richard Beasley, suspect in "Craigslist killings", makes court appearance via wheelchair
(CBS/AP) AKRON, Ohio - One of the suspects in a series of murders of men who answered an ad on Craigslist was wheeled into court Thursday with his face unshaven and his head bobbing.
Richard Beasley, 52, kept his head down as a judge revoked his bond on a drug trafficking charge and his attorney said that a prostitution case involving a 17-year-old boy would be upgraded to include a racketeering charge.
The bond revocation allows authorities to hold Beasley as the Craigslist investigation continues.
Police have linked two bodies and the shooting of a man who survived to a scheme that targeted single, out-of-work men in their late 40s or early 50s. Investigators have also found a third body but have yet to link it to the case.
Beasley has not been charged in the Craigslist case, but the complaint against 16-year-old Brogan Rafferty, who is charged with aggravated murder and attempted murder in the death of one man and the shooting of another, says he participated in the crimes with Beasley.
Beasley did not speak during his court appearance and ignored reporters' questions outside the courthouse.
Beasley's attorney said that her client's mother is concerned he might have had a stroke. She said he "is distraught" and taking medication for back pain.