Mass. formally drops murder charges in Craigslist killing; victim honored

Mass. drops charges in Craigslist killing

BOSTON — Prosecutors have formally dropped their case against a man who committed suicide in his jail cell while awaiting trial on charges of killing a masseuse he met through Craigslist.

Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley says the prosecution had to be terminated because of Philip Markoff’s death.

The former Boston University medical student was awaiting trial in the 2009 killing of Julissa Brisman, of New York City. Brisman was beaten with a gun and shot three times at a Boston hotel.

Conley says it Brisman’s family wanted to face Markoff in court. He says his office plans to release its evidence against Markoff within a few weeks.

Coincidentally, Brisman is among 35 homicide victims who will be honored later Thursday at an annual ceremony at Boston’s “Garden of Peace.”