Right Juris

Philip Markoff appeared for his arraignment in Suffolk County Superior Court Monday, June 22, 2009. The accused “Craigslist Killer” pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and six other charges. Read about this, see pictures and a video below.

On April 20, 2009, second year Boston University Medical student, Philip Markoff, was arrested while on his way to Connecticut with his fiancée. He was indicted June 19, 2009 for the April 14, 2009 shooting of a 25 year old New York woman, Julissa Brisman, at the Boston Marriot Copley Place hotel.

Markoff was also charged with armed robbery against a 29 year old Las Vegas woman, Trisha Leffler, at another hotel in Boston on April 10, 2009. Leffler survived her attack at gunpoint. When police discovered Markoff was a student at Boston University they obtained a copy of his school identification photo. According to the District Attorney, Leffler made a positive identification when shown the photo that Markoff was the man who attacked her.

In a statement released by the prosecutor, police were able to track Markoff through email messages between Philip Markoff and Julissa Brisman. Markoff set up a meeting with Brisman, a masseuse who advertised in the “erotic services” section of Craigslist, thus dubbing him the “Craigslist Killer.”

According to the indictment, evidence suggested there was a struggle between Brisman and Markoff where he hit her in the head several times with the butt end of a 9mm semiautomatic pistol. He then allegedly shot her from close range three times to the chest and stomach, killing her almost instantly.

When police searched Markoff’s Quincy apartment they discovered a sock hidden in his box spring containing several pairs of women’s underpants that did not belong to his fiancée. They also discovered plastic zip ties just like the ones used to bind the victims. A 9mm semiautomatic was found inside a hollowed out text book. Ballistics made a match to this gun as being the same gun which killed Julissa Brisman.

During his arraignment Monday, June 22, 2009 Suffolk County Prosecutor Edmond Zabin stated Markoff used the Identification of Andrew Miller, an upstate New York resident, the purchase the 9mm that was used in the death of Brisman.

Zabin stated Markoff went to Mason, New Hampshire to purchase the gun in February. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms traced the gun back to a shop in New Hampshire. It was here that Markoff’s prints were found on the purchasing documents. The District Attorney stated those prints were a match to the prints found at the scene of Brisman’s death.

Andrew Miller has not stated how he and Markoff know each other but Zabin stated Miller is cooperating with the ivnvestigation.

Markoff pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges of Julissa Brisman. He also entered a not guilty plea in the armed robbery of Trisha Leffler.

There will be a second pretrial hearing to argue motions by the defense attorneys on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. It is still unclear if Markoff will be present for this pretrial.

Philip Markoff is currently being held in the Nashua Street jail without bail.