Giorgio Fochesato/Vetta/Getty Images(AKRON, Ohio) -- The father of a 16-year-old suspect charged in a Craigslist murder spree told ABC News that his son unwittingly dug some of the shallow graves, thinking they were drainage ditches.

"I think he probably didn't realize what he was involved in until it was too late and that he was in fear for his life and the lives of the people he loved," Michael Rafferty told ABC's Good Morning America.

Rafferty said that his son Brogan Rafferty told him that he did not shoot anyone and was under the spell of 52-year-old Rich Beasley who had been his mentor. He also said he feels tremendous guilt for introducing his son to Beasley, a purported chaplain with an extensive criminal record. Beasley spent 15 of the past 30 years in prison, public records show.

"I trusted him with my son, the most precious thing in the world to me, and it sure bit me now," Rafferty said.

Brogan Rafferty is expected to appear in court Tuesday when a Noble County, Ohio judge will decide whether Rafferty will be tried as an adult.

Beasley and Brogan Rafferty were arrested on Nov. 16. Beasley was arrested for previous charges related to prostitution and drugs, while Rafferty was charged with attempted murder.

Beasley and Rafferty are suspected in the Craigslist killings of three men and the wounding a fourth man. Police have said they believe the motive of the killings to be robbery.

The victims allegedly responded to an ad on Craigslist for a job working on an Ohio cattle farm. The men were told to bring all of their belongings since they would be living on the farm.

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