Woosley murder suspect arrested in Ohio

A teen wanted for murder in the beating death of 17-year-old Caleb Woosley was found and arrested Wednesday evening in Hamilton, Ohio.

Richmond police had been searching for Kore Buchanan, 17, after obtaining an arrest warrant charging him with murder. Buchanan's last known address in Richmond was vacant, and authorities thought he might have been living in Union County.

Shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday, Richmond Police Department Capt. James Branum confirmed Buchanan had been found in Hamilton, Ohio, and authorities there had made an arrest. Further details about Buchanan's capture are expected to be available Thursday.

Earlier Wednesday, Richmond police announced they had arrested two other men authorities say were involved in the brutal beating death of Woosley earlier this year.

Deandre Plant, 20, who already was in police custody awaiting trial in another case, was charged with murder Wednesday in Woosley's death. David A. Maish, 18, who also already was in jail, has been charged with one count of assisting a criminal (a Class C felony).

Maish, who was arrested May 19 for his alleged involvement in a vehicle theft, earlier this month provided police with information about his involvement in the death of Woosley.

"He provided some gloves that were used, and he helped dispose of evidence," Branum said Wednesday.

Michael D. Pruitt, 17, of 109 N. 12th St. was arrested July 8 on a charge of murder after police were provided a secretly recorded cellphone video in which Pruitt details his involvement in Woosley's killing on May 18 in an alley between North 14th and 15th streets.

During the recording, Pruitt is seen and heard making a statement about the killing of Woosley, which he claimed took place in an alley using baseball bats.

According to court documents, Pruitt is heard in the video stating he, Plant and Buchanan were walking down an alley with Woosley when Pruitt said he had to stop to urinate. Woosley decided to do the same. At that point, Pruitt said he picked up a baseball bat and struck Woosley before one of the other two men began to beat Woosley with a bat. Pruitt said Woosley was hit 40 times within 30 seconds.

Plant was served with his warrant Wednesday at the Henry County Jail, where he remains incarcerated after being arrested June 5 on charges of receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana, criminal trespass and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His trial in that case is scheduled for Sept. 30.

The motive for the crime, according to Pruitt's statements, was Woosley's alleged involvement in the rape of a 15-year-old girl. Richmond police previously said they had not received any reports of rape involving Woosley.

Pruitt told police he was aware Buchanan and Plant were planning on beating Woosley because Woosley had "messed" with a minor female who is a relative of Buchanan.

Pruitt said he agreed to be the "lookout" while the other two went to meet Woosley and walk him back to the area where he was killed.

Pruitt said they all met in the area of North 18th and B streets and then walked west toward the spot where Woosley's body was found in the alley between North 14th and 15th streets.

All three men being charged with murder face a possible sentence range of 45 to 65 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine upon conviction.

Staff writer Robert Sullivan: (765) 973-4471 or rsullivan7@pal-item.com. Follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RobertSullivanPI and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/RSullivan_PI.