'Evil' Corrupts Craigslist's Good Intent: Founder

Newmark consoles family of slain site user
By A Ali,  Newser Staff
Posted May 4, 2009 8:42 AM CDT
'Evil' Corrupts Craigslist's Good Intent: Founder
A woman prints a job listing off Craigslist. Billions have used the site to help each other, Newmark said.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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.

"I believe the only way to beat the darkness is focusing on the good in people," Newmark said. He co-sponsored the event intended to raise $100,000 toward a scholarship honoring Olson. Craigslist employees reached out to the Olsons after the 2007 tragedy and say they found the parents' response inspirational. Last month, Olson's killer was sentenced to life in prison.
(More Craigslist stories.)

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