Somewhere along the way Phillip Markoff came under the impression he was untouchable no matter what he did. Smarter than the average bear and able to leap buildings in a single bound.
In a society where 'character' can be assassinated in a 15 second news cycle, he wasn't going to take the chance a woman, he considered disposable for his own pleasure, could cause his 'perfect life' any issues.
He hadn't been found guilty, but, when he was arrested his 'alternate reality' came crashing down. He was on suicide watch initially in jail, but, was removed when the authorities found no reason to continue it. Given a chance he decided to sentence himself and carry it out, unable to live with the crime he committed.
Nowhere along the way to his medical school degree did anyone tell him life, no matter whom's life it is, is precious.
I am sorry Phillip is dead. He would have not received the death penalty and his age and circumstances would have dictated a different resolve to his ultimate sentence should he had been found guilty. Once he was betrayed by his own understanding of life and his own reality, he trusted no one but his own judgement to render his life mute.
As a society we failed. We failed the beautiful, provocative and desperately achieving actess, Julia Brisman and we failed Phillip Markoff.
Sympathy to their families at this time.
