[Old News] Mr. James Larkin, the creator of the community information site 'Backpage', died during the trial on prostitution information on the site
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On July 31, 2023, journalist James Larkin , known for establishing Backpage , a rival of Craigslist , an information site that posts job information, real estate information, event announcements, etc. died. I was 74 years old.
Jim Larkin, pioneering co-founder of Phoenix New Times, dead at 74 | Phoenix New Times
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/jim-larkin-pioneering-co-founder-of-phoenix-new-times-dead-at-74-16810276
Jim Larkin, Backpage Exec, Dies By Suicide A Week Before His Trial | Techdirt
James Larkin, Backpage Publisher and Free Speech Warrior, Has Died
In 1970, while a student at Arizona State University, Mr. Larkin launched the campus newspaper, ' Phoenix New Times, ' with friends. to become one of the leading newspapers and acquired local weekly magazines.
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Mr. Larkin and the Phoenix New Times have spawned feuds with Rep. John McCain and Rep. Kamala Harris (currently Vice President) under the motto of 'free speech' and 'challenge civil servants.'
In 2004, Mr. Larkin, along with Michael Lacy, co-founder of Phoenix New Times, was the most popular community information site (classified advertising site) in the United States that handles everything from automobiles to recruitment and real estate 'Craigslist'. In order to fight against, 'Backpage' was established.
Like Craigslist, Backpage has an “adult” section and has grown into a popular digital platform with a variety of user-generated ads. After Craigslist removed its adult services section in 2010, Backpage's adult section saw an increase in postings.
Backpage has become a hotbed for prostitution and other adult services, and as of May 2011, Backpack has confirmed 50 cases of child prostitution arrests, and an anonymous lawyer told CNN of overseas media, Backpage has been implicated in the majority of cases of human trafficking and prostitution reported.'
On the other hand, Backpage said at the time, ``This site prohibits illegal services, including prostitution,'' and ``We are working closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent prostitution on Backpack.'' Reported. Ads posted by users were not only filtered for prostitution-related terms, but also censored by a management team of about 100 people before posting.
Backpage also reports that it has strengthened its partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to prevent criminal activity on the site.
However, Backpage, Larkin and others have faced a series of criticisms from activists, politicians and prosecutors, stating that 'Backpage is an open forum for child sexual prostitution, and its founders, Larkin and others, are complicit in these crimes.' A rumor was circulated that ``We are the coal mine canary on the Internet,'' Larkin said in March 2023.
Backpage was eventually shut down in 2015, but in 2018, the FBI arrested and indicted six Backpage executives, including Mr. Larkin, on suspicion of prostitution, money laundering, and aiding a conspiracy. bottom. Also, in April 2018, BackPage was
The trial of Mr. Larkin and others began in September 2021, but Mr. Larkin and others consistently insisted that they were ``legal under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution .''
The first trial, held in Phoenix federal court, found that it 'failed to produce convincing evidence of criminal conduct involving minors,' and that 'even though no one had filed prostitution charges.' , Prosecutors are overly assertive about the actual state of prostitution that took place at Backpage.'
With a retrial against Mr. Larkin and others about to begin on August 8, 2023, it became clear that Mr. Larkin committed suicide with a handgun at his home in Paradise Valley, Arizona on July 31, 2023. rice field.
“I have never seen him do anything dishonest or dishonorable in my life,” Lacey said. It's full of memories,' he said.
The federal court has announced that 'Mr. Larkin's death has been confirmed, but the trial against Mr. Larkin and others will take place from August 8 as scheduled.' Mr. Larkin's attorney, Timothy Eckstein, said on August 2, ``At the situation hearing with the judge on August 4, we plan to discuss dropping the charges against Mr. Larkin.'' .
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