The Axiom Of Respect
Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others Respectfully
And Respecting Only Those Who Earn It

On Monday, Phillip Markoff, the accused "Craigslist Killer," pled not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder, despite what prosecutors say is overwhelming evidence against him. Notably absent from the courtroom was Megan McAllister, Markoff's former fiancée.

According to her lawyer, Bob Honecker, McAllister has not seen Markoff since June 11, 2009. On that day, she "traveled to Boston to meet with the Suffolk Country District Attorney's Office" and told Markoff "she planned to attend medical school." ("Accused 'Craigslist Killer' Won't See Former Fiancée for 'Long Period of Time'") She "also let him know that she did not expect to return to Boston and it would be quite a long period of time, if ever, before she saw him again."

We commend McAllister for the manner in which she has conducted herself throughout this undoubtedly difficult time, and we want her to know that her resilient behavior is a tremendous illustration of what it means to treat yourself respectfully and protect yourself from unhealthy relationships, vital elements of Magna Sententia. We are proud of her for continuing to work toward her goal of attending medical school and becoming a physician, even though her life totally changed in an instant. So many of us would have found her situation debilitating.

While we know that this must be unbelievably hard for her, McAllister is setting such a wonderful example for all of us: By ending her relationship with Markoff, she is allowing the "court of law [to determine who] is the real Philip Markoff," thus protecting herself from getting buried deeper and deeper into his problems and alleged destructive behavior. This is the smartest choice she could make, especially considering that "some of the details released in the last several days, particularly at the arraignment, were very disturbing."

Megan McAllister's situation is an albeit extreme case of finding yourself involved with the wrong person, but it does not lessen the value of making the decision to walk away from those who are hurting us, treating us disrespectfully, or making our lives miserable.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society