Ill. Sheriff: New Craigslist an Improvement

(NEWSER) - Sure, the ads in Craigslist’s new “Adult Services” section are tamer than those that appeared in the old “Erotic Services” category, shuttered after the firestorm surrounding the “Craigslist killer” case. But read between the lines and the meaning is still the same, Chris Matyszczyk writes for CNET. “This is little more than a dance, a dysfunctional Argentine tango between those who advertise sexual services on Craigslist and those who have sought to pursue the site.” More»

Was in the room as wife was attacked by knife-wielding man

(NEWSER) - A North Carolina man faces first-degree rape charges after arranging for the rape of his wife via Craigslist, police said. The 25-year-old, who advertised for someone to have sex with his wife using “scare tactics,” was in the room as a man with a knife carried out the attack, the AP reports. The couple’s kids were also home at the time, though they weren’t aware of what was happening. More»

(NEWSER) - Craigslist has agreed to dump its “erotic services” ads, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced today. In their place will be a new employee-reviewed adult category. The site has been under pressure to act in response to the so-called "Craigslist killer" case, in which a Boston premed student is accused of killing a masseuse he found through an ad on the site. Madigan, along with AGs from Connecticut and Missouri, met with site officials last week, arguing that the erotic services ads often promoted illegal services. More»

Newmark consoles family of slain site user

(NEWSER) - Despite several high-profile murders involving Craigslist, founder Craig Newmark says he hopes to foster community spirit with his 14-year-old site. "Evil does exist," he said at a memorial concert for Katie Olson, 24, who was killed after responding to a babysitting ad. Newmark shared the stage with Olson's parents, who say they bear no ill will toward his site, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. More»

Advertised 'freelance' job was to 'eradicate' wife of woman's lover

(NEWSER) - A Michigan woman posted a job on Craigslist last year to murder her lover's wife, the FBI announced yesterday. Ann Marie Linscott, 49, put up a generic "freelance" ad but asked responders to "eradicate a female living in Oroville, California" for $5,000. "I've seen some screwy things, but I've personally never heard of anything like this," an FBI agent said. More»