On the night of October 18 th , 1982, 28yr old Robert ‘Butch' Richardson was killed in a vacant lot between two street lights in downtown Clearwater , Florida . According to Clearwater Police detectives, Peter Fire and Ron Luchan, four eyewitness stated they tried unsuccessfully to intervene when they saw a dark complexed Indian looking male with long black hair and full beard, repeatedly throw a concrete block down on top of the head of Richardson, as he lay prone upon the ground. Based on this description and while at the home of the victim's Mother, Detective Fire placed 32yr old Milo Rose under arrest for the murder of Richardson . Detective Fire also stated a couple who shared an apartment with Richardson came forward to state they picked Milo up hitch hiking a few blocks from the crime. They said Milo had confessed to them that he had just killed Butch and asked them to provide him with an alibi. Reportedly blood was also found on Milo 's person and clothing.

Defence attorneys appointed by the court to represent Milo at trial were unable to get him to change his plea of innocence, to one of diminished capacity. The attorneys argued that the evidence was overwhelming as to his guilt and if he didn't change his plea, he was going to found guilty and sentenced to death – especially as he had a history of violence and had absconded from parole in Illinois. Milo's persistence that he did not kill Richardson , or anyone else, created a conflict between him and the attorneys assigned to represent him. Finally the trial judge Susan Schaeffer labelled Milo a problem client and forced him to stand trial with the fifth attorney she assigned to represent him.

During his trial Milo unsuccessfully tried to dismiss his fifth court appointed attorney as being inept and inadequate. Judge Susan Schaeffer would also not allow Darryl Rouson, the last defence attorney she assigned to represent Milo to withdraw from his case. Midway through the trial Milo who knew it was a farce and mockery of the criminal justice system, stood and shouted to everyone in the courtroom that he was being ‘Railroaded'. He knew none of the evidence being presented against him was true. At that point he knew his only hope and prayer was that the truth would come out later. The jury convicted Milo of first degree premeditated murder and later voted 9 to 3 for death. Judge Susan Schaeffer sentenced Milo to death on early July 1983.

Now over 23yrs later the evidence exists that proves Milo did not receive a fair and impartial trial. This favourable evidence was withheld from the defence by the prosecuting attorneys – and when viewed cumulatively disputes all the evidence used to bring about Milo 's questionable conviction. This evidence now shows that the male of the couple that testified Milo confessed to them and sought an alibi, is the true perpetrator of this crime of murder – and possibly others. Something Milo has maintained all along, sadly though, the states attorneys who are supposed to be vanguards in protecting the integrity of the law, refuse to admit to the grave injustice that has been administered in this case. Nor do the attorneys the state of Florida have assigned to assist Milo with his appeals want to fully press the issues that will vindicate Milo of murder of any kind. Because of this, Milo has been forced to try and argue the issues himself before middle district Federal Judge Steven D. Me rryday in Tampa Florida

Milo 's plight is not an easy one to explain, yet in his own emotion packed way he tries to outline his story in detail through his website. As he prays people of conscience will take the time to download and read the wealth of information he is now able to bring forth in his defence..

Please take the time to download Milo 's website, your support is greatly needed and appreciated..

MILO ROSE

An Innocent Man on Florida's Death Row Since July 1983 - 22 Years

Last updated: 16 June 2006

Case Summary

An Innocent Man on Florida's Death Row
Since July 1983 - 22 Years