"BOSTON: A medical student has appeared in court to fight charges that he is the "Craigslist killer" who sought out female victims on the popular website.
Police said Philip Markoff - a handsome, clean-cut, 23-year-old who was planning a lavish beachfront wedding - is a suspected serial criminal who targeted women offering erotic services through Craigslist."
By now, most of us have heard about this news story. Markoff, a Boston University medical student, was apparently targeting women victims via Craigslist, the online classified ad giant.
This is not the first time a murder was facilitated indirectly with the help of Craigslist. In October 2007, a then 19-year old Michael John Anderson, was charged with second-degree murder of a woman who had responded to an online request for a babysitter posted by Anderson.
It seems as though Craigslist is being used as a vessel for predators to set traps for unsuspecting patrons. Facing growing criticism, Craigslist CEO, Jim Buckmaster has been appearing on numerous television shows sending condolences to the victim's families, as well deflecting any blame being placed on his company.
How should Craigslist handle the criticism? Is placing blame partly on Craigslist akin to saying a newspaper is responsible for a serial murderer using the classified ads to target potential victims? Should Craiglist acquiesce to mounting public pressure to modify its policies?
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