Lawyer: Markoff's fiancee has not testified before grand jury

(WBZ TV)

Megan McAllister (left) visited the Nashua Street Jail on Wednesday with her mother (center) and her attorney, Robert Honecker Jr.

By Maria Cramer, Globe Staff

Megan McAllister has not been called to testify before the grand jury weighing the case against her fiance, Philip Markoff, who has been charged with murdering a masseuse he met through Craigslist.

"She has not been requested to do so," her lawyer, Robert Honecker Jr., said in a telephone interview today as he drove from Boston back to New Jersey. "She had absolutely nothing to do with these allegations."

McAllister, who had traveled by car with her parents Wednesday to visit Markoff in jail, was also on her way back home to Little Silver, N.J., today and is expected to stay there.

"I don't expect her to return to Boston to see him," Honecker said.

Markoff, 23, pleaded not guilty last week to charges that include armed robbery and murder. The Boston University medical student is accused of preying on prostitutes and other women who advertised services on Craigslist.

Police seized at least one of Markoff's computers when investigators searched the Quincy apartment Markoff shared with McAllister, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation.The official, who was not authorized to discuss the case and spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not say what if anything investigators found on the computer. Police continue to search for other victims who also may have been lured to hotel rooms through Craigslist, but no one has come forward since Markoff's arrest a week ago Monday, the law enforcement official said.

McAllister's visit at the Nashua Street Jail on Wednesday lasted about 25 minutes, said Honecker, who did not witness the couple's exchange. McAllister's mother was with her during the visit. The couple's wedding is off, Honecker said, but he stopped short of saying whether the pair had split up, saying he did not know.

"I think that this was a very emotional time for her," he said. "But in the end, I think this will put her in a place where she'll begin to accomplish other goals in her life and be well."

One of those goals will be to start medical school in the fall in the Caribbean, Honecker said.

"She’s a young, bright, articulate young woman. She’s a strong young woman as well," he said. "Can you imagine it happening to one of your relatives? I think a lot of people feel sensitive to that and for Megan."

McAllister remains "supportive" of Markoff, Honecker said, despite the alleged evidence against Markoff that has been leaked to the media.

"I think that certainly what’s been reported in the media is something that will ultimately be tested in a court of law," he said. "And she certainly believes that the fate of Philip Markoff rests in that criminal justice system."

The wedding was called off in part, Honecker said, because Markoff most likely will still be incarcerated in August, when the marriage was scheduled to take place. Most murder cases take about a year to get to trial and Markoff has been ordered held without bail.

Asked whether the wedding was canceled for other, personal reasons, Honecker said, "It’s hard to say, you know. The wedding is off."

Before going home, McAllister also stopped by the Quincy apartment she shared with Markoff to pick up "personal items," Honecker said.

"You have a young woman whose dreams of her life to be are no longer there," he said. "She's going to be taking it one day at a time."