Mother who spent 22 years on death row

[Still Waters]

An Arizona mother who had spent 22 years on death row after being found guilty of murdering her four-year-old son is set to be released.

Debra Jean Milke's guilty verdict was overturned earlier this year - but now prosecutors have failed to file an expected appeal meaning she will be released in just weeks.

Known as Death Row Debbie, 48-year-old Debra Jean Milke's was found guilty in 1989 for the gruesome slaying of her toddler son Christopher who was shot three times in the back of the head and dumped in the desert.

http://www.dailymail...rooked-cop.html

[shrooma]

I guess that after this amount of time we'll never know what happened.

such a bonny little kid too. what a waste of a life.....

Edited May 27, 2013 by shrooma

[freetoroam]

She never confessed to killing her son, just being an accessory according to the officer. But there was no tape recordings of it. What were here lawyers doing at the time?

Need to read up more on this.

[Ashotep]

This part really bothers me and because of this they should let her go.

But a US Circuit Court of Appeals judge has agreed with her lawyers that ruled that the conviction had been due in part because of a crooked cop who had a history of lying under oath.

People think because someone is a cop they are telling the truth.

Edited May 27, 2013 by Hilander

[freetoroam]

This part really bothers me and because of this they should let her go.

People think because someone is a cop they are telling the truth.

I agree, but after all these years? did no one find this out earlier?

And what about the trial, what were her lawyers doing, the confession was not even on tape? something is a miss here.

If anything, it looks as if she could have just done her time and somehow this has been brought into it. Still need to read up on it when I am in the right frame of mind.

These things are right up my street, but not when i am in "silly mood".

Edited May 27, 2013 by freetoroam

[FLOMBIE]

I agree, but after all these years? did no one find this out earlier?

And what about the trial, what were her lawyers doing, the confession was not even on tape? something is a miss here.

(...)

Her lawyer did point that out:

In 2009, defense attorney Michael Kimerer said his client maintains her innocence and was a loving mother who still grieves her son’s death.

‘Our main concern is the fact that I have a client that never confessed and a police detective who said she gave a confession,’ Kimerer said then. ‘There was no tape recorder, no witnesses, nothing. Just his word.’

What's with the cop? I hope he's in prison now.

Edited May 27, 2013 by FLOMBIE

[freetoroam]

Her lawyer did point that out:

What's with the cop? I hope he's in prison now.

I hope the cop is too, but why did it take them 22 years?

[FLOMBIE]

I hope the cop is too, but why did it take them 22 years?

How could she be convicted in the first place? What was the jury thinking? Bias?

[freetoroam]

How could she be convicted in the first place? What was the jury thinking? Bias?

And what were here lawyers doing? paid off?

[FLOMBIE]

And what were here lawyers doing? paid off?

A lawyer cannot get the client out all the time. Especially not in jury decisions. I have assisted in many cases where the evidence was obviously pointing towards the client being not guilty, but the judge/jury decided against them. It does happen, and that is why we have the chance to appeal. Without having anythything that points against it, I'd say the lawyers did the best they could.

Edit: My English is getting worse.

Edited May 27, 2013 by FLOMBIE

[KlaraFall]

Read this!

What “Evidence” Really Convicted Debra Milke of Capital Murder?

http://www.crimefilenews.com/

[KlaraFall]

Her lawyer did point that out:

What's with the cop? I hope he's in prison now.

The cop has a long list of numerous misconducts and Arizona never had a case.

This story is a double tragedy and a story of wrongful conviction.

If you are interested, then you will get a lot of information upon the latest news here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Debra-Jean-Milke/237767923380?fref=ts

and more facts collected over 2 decades here:

http://www.debbiemilke.com/

[KlaraFall]

Saldate vs Debra Jean Milke

The following discourses of former Phoenix Police Detective Armando Saldate are drawn from Affidavit CR 89-12631 verified and submitted to the Superior Court of the State of Arizona, Country of Maricopa, official trial transcripts and legal documents of the defense.

Debra Jean Milke's rebuttals are extracts from CR 89-12631, trial testimony, and/or more in-depth explanations submitted on her own behalf to the Court stating her position and understanding of events as she knew them.

(Former Phoenix Police Detective Armando Saldate testified that he interviewed Debra Jean Milke for approximately thirty-five minutes on the eve of December 03, 1989 and that three days later, on December 06, 1989, his report was written, typed and all pertinent notes destroyed by him. It should also be noted all other homicide and missing person detectives typed their reports prior to his.)

Detective Armando Saldate testified that at approximately 1953 hours he excused Debra's aunt from the interview room (the jail dispensary) and closed its steel door, only he and Debbie remained in the room, totally isolated from all other personnel. Conversation could not be heard by anyone outside this room. He stated when Debbie asked him who he was and what he wanted, he identified himself and told her he was INVESTIGATING her son's DISAPPEARANCE. He testified he then told Debbie that Christopher had been found in a desert area and had been shot to death and that Debra immediately began screaming and making noises as if she was crying, but stated, "No tears were visible."

He testified that he told Debra he would not TOLERATE her behavior and that she was ALSO under arrest for her son's death. That again, she became very excited and asked why he was doing this. That he told her she had been implicated in the MURDER by Jim (Styers) AND Roger (Scott).

DEBRA's REBUTTAL : My around the clock vigil began at 1440, on December 02, 1989, and at 1300 hours, on December 03, 1989, I was driven by my step-mother to my father's home just outside Florence, Arizona, arriving at approximately 1500 hours. At someone's insistence, I ate half a sandwich and drank half a beer. My step-mother gave me a pill, I THINK IT WAS VALIUM, and at approx. 1720 hours I laid down. I was awakened at approx. 1800 hours and was taken to Pinal County Jail in Florence, AZ. I did not ask Detective Saldate who he was and what he wanted. He identified himself immediately when he entered. What I did ask him was if he had any news about my son. "Did you find my son ?" He ignored me and didn't answer. He did not say he was investigating my son's disappearance. What he said was, "We found your son, he was murdered, and you're under arrest." I flipped out, screaming and crying hysterically. "What !? What !?" were my first words.

Saldate testified he told Debra to be quiet once again and said, quote, "I pulled a card from my identification badge and read her MIRANDA RIGHTS verbatim from the card," unquote. He testified he then asked her if she understood her rights and she moved her head in an up and down motion indicating yes. He said, "Again, I asked her if she understood her rights and she responded, 'Yes'."

He testified, "Again, Debra began to APPEAR to cry and was yelling, but again, I saw no tears. I warned her I would not tolerate THAT TYPE OF ACTIVITY from her and I was going to question her about her involvement in this murder, that it was very important she tell me the truth, that I wouldn't tolerate any LIES. She immediately settled down and was shaking but kept asking what I needed to know. I told her I wanted her to tell the truth about her involvement as she saw it and not to minimize her involvement. Debra continued to keep moving her head in an up and down motion AS IF she was agreeing with me. I asked her again if she was going to tell me what occurred and she said she was."

DEBRA's REBUTTAL : What he would not tolerate was my screaming and crying. That's what he wouldn't tolerate. But of course he says he wouldn't tolerate the fake crying. While I was screaming and crying, he began to read something from a business card. As he was reading, I was crying hard and knowing I didn't do anything, I cried out, "Why are you doing this ?!" He then asked if I wanted the interview tape-recorded. I said, "No. I want to use that phone (I pointed to it) to call my dad about a lawyer." He ignored my request and began asking questions and making accusations. I was crying and I was yelling at him that I didn't do anything. But he didn't want to hear that. He angrily responded that he would not tolerate that type of activity. He pressed on and on about me being involved and that he wasn't there to tolerate lies. I did not ask him what he needed to know. What I asked was, "What do you want from me ?!" I actually screamed that question at him because he insisted he knew I was involved. Knowing that I didn't do anything, I screamed that question out. The meaning behind the question was this - what do you want from me - to tell you something I have no knowledge about ? The man was accusing me of being involved in something I knew I had no part in or knowledge about. Naturally, I'm going to defend myself and my doing this angered him. His statement,"I ASKED HER AGAIN IF SHE WAS GOING TO TELL ME WHAT OCCURRED AND SHE SAID SHE WAS." This IS AN ABSOLUTE AND TOTAL LIE !

Detective Saldate testified Debra first told him she had been FEELING SORRY for her son because of what he had to go through, that she had told Jim (Styers) that Chris was probably going to grow up like his father and not be any good, that she may have told this to Jim several times but didn't think Jim would EVER do anything to hurt her son. Saldate testified that Debra began to cry but, he said, "AGAIN NO TEARS WERE VISIBLE." He said he then accused her of not telling the truth and he wouldn't tolerate her behavior because he wasn't "here" by accident. He said he told her he already knew what happened and this was her opportunity to tell the truth from her standpoint. He then testified that she stated, "LOOK, I JUST DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GROW UP LIKE HIS FATHER : I AM NOT A CRAZY PERSON; I AM NOT AN ANIMAL; I JUST DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GROW UP LIKE THAT."

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : I DID NOT TELL ARMANDO SALDATE THAT I TOLD JIM (and I did not tell Jim) SEVERAL TIMES THAT CHRIS WAS PROBABLY GOING TO GROW UP LIKE HIS FATHER AND NOT BE ANY GOOD.

He kept saying Jim killed Chris. Knowing Jim the way I did, I couldn't and wouldn't believe it. Still in shock and totally confused, I began to cry and I said to him that Jim would never do anything to hurt my son. He didn't like what I was saying so he accused me of lying.

I know I'm not guilty of anything so every time he said things like, "I know you're involved, I'm here for the truth, I won't tolerate these lies, etc.," I TRIED TO TELL THIS MAN I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. It p***ed him off.

As I have stated here before, he kept on and on with his accusations. I got upset and angry with him and I yelled at him, "Look, I'm not a crazy person ! I am not an animal!" Meaning, I am not capable of doing what he is steadily accusing me of.

I also told him that I had never been in trouble with the law, arrested or jailed. To keep defending myself, I told him about my character a little bit to give him an idea that I'm not capable of committing such a crime or any crime.

Saldate testified that Debra then told him about how she had been in high school, very popular, very likeable and friendly, her self-esteem had been very high and she had been positive and in love with life. That she told him about meeting her ex-husband, Mark Milke, and about his involvement with drugs and alcohol and that after she married Mark he always put her down and told her she was no good and wouldn't amount to anything. She told him about Mark's continuous involvement with alcohol and drugs during their marriage and that Mark was incarcerated several time during their marriage.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : Saldate asked me if I was married. I said, "No, divorced." He asked if Mark was present in my life. I said, "Yes and no." He then asked about Mark, what he was like, etc. I briefly explained. Saldate then asked if Mark's drug and alcohol use was the reason for my divorce. I said, "Yes." I said I had to protect Chris from a drug environment and that I sought sole custody and supervised visitation because his welfare and safety was very important to me. I said I didn't want Chris around that stuff or to be influenced by it. I didn't want him to grow up like his father and become a drug addict. This is exactly how the conversation went, but Saldate twisted everything I said.

Saldate then testified that Debra talked about her sex life. That Debbie said she had a difficult time having sex because of Mark and felt it was a dirty thing to do. That Debbie believed it was because Mark was "into kinky stuff and was heavily into pornographic material." He further testified that Debbie talked about taking birth control pills because she didn't want to have any children and felt even before she had Christopher that she would not make a good mother and therefore that is why she hadn't wanted children. She went on to tell him that Chris was a mistake and while she was pregnant she had several tests taken to ensure he was not deformed in any way. She claimed that at one point during the pregnancy she had decided to have an abortion, made an appointment, but failed to show up because she felt the pain would be too much.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : I didn't tell Armando Saldate I had a difficult time having sex. All I ever said about that is that Mark was weird at times especially when he was drinking. I would get grossed out by his kinky nature and love for porno magazines.

Regarding my use of birth control and the birth of my son, Christopher, it is true that I was on birth control pills, but I used birth control pills even before I met Mark, only because I'm a responsible person. That's why I took the pill. When I was nineteen years old and not married, I did not want children. Also at that time, I didn't think I was ready to be a mother.

CHRISTOPHER WAS NOT A MISTAKE. I SAID HE WAS AN ACCIDENTAL PREGNANCY ! I never made an appointment to have an abortion. Because my parents told me about birth defects in children of drug abusers, the thought of Marks's "use" scared me. The thought of terminating my pregnancy if my child was affected crossed my mind but I never made an appointment to have an abortion.

Saldate testified Debra then told him about how after Christopher's birth she realized she was not going to be a good mother but the alternative of having him stay with his father was not "any better." She got a divorce and Mark ended up with visitation rights and for the most part, Mark was in jail so he could not take advantage of the visitation rights. He stated Debbie told him about recent visits by Christopher with Mark and that he began to act just like Mark. She described Chris as being very mischievous and sometimes malicious. She said this really bothered her because she didn't want her child to grow up and be like his father spending time in and out of jails.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : Following Chris's birth, I REALIZED MY MARRIAGE WAS OVER NOT THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD MOTHER ! I NEVER REFERRED TO CHRIS AS BEING "MALICIOUS." I WAS DESCRIBING MY EX-HUSBAND MARK AS, OFTEN TIMES, BEING MALICIOUS AND THAT WAS WHY I WAS CONCERNED THAT CHRIS DIDN'T GROW UP TO BE LIKE THAT.

Saldate then testified that Debbie told him she felt very bad about this and she had a very empty feeling. That she then said, "I'm not a malicious person, I just wanted God to take care of him." Then she went on to say she was very scared about what was going to happen.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : I didn't tell Saldate that I felt very bad about "this" (meaning his version). At one point, while still in shock, I cried and said I felt very empty. The whole ordeal was so devastating and shocking, I couldn't believe what had happened and towards the end of the "interview," I felt so empty, like the life had been sucked out of me. Being told that Chris was dead left me feeling empty inside. It was like being dead myself. That kind of emptiness.

At one point when I was crying and sobbing, I said something like, "Oh God, I just wanted to take care of him!" I was crying in sheer horror at having been told my child is dead.

His remark that I was very scared about what was going to happen at this point in time is an absolute lie.

Saldate testified that Debbie then went on to say she had contemplated suicide about a month earlier, that the more she had thought about it the more she realized it would not solve her problem about her son, as he would probably end up with his father and definitely grow up like him. She said because of this she spoke with Jim (Styers) about "HELPING FIGURE OUT A WAY FOR HER CHILD TO DIE." Armando Saldate testified Debbie told him she could not, at first, tell Jim that she wanted her son KILLED because it was very hard for her, but that finally she told him that it would be better for her son to die than "to grow up like her husband, his father." Jim agreed to help her and the only agreement they made was, "THAT HE WOULD NOT TELL HER THE SPECIFICS OF THE KILLING."

Saldate then testified that he asked her if she had her son killed because of some insurance she may have had on him and she said she did not, that she did not have any life insurance on him but believed her father who lived in Florence did and that he was the beneficiary. Armando Saldate testified that he then told her it was his understanding that Jim (Styers) and Roger (Scott) were to receive a partial payment of the $5,000 policy she had on her child's life. He stated that Debbie denied having a policy but may have told Jim about her father's policy and said, "That may have been Jim and Roger's motivation for the killing, but it was definitely not mine."

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : When Saldate asked me about insurance, he asked me if I had a life insurance policy on Christopher. I said no because I never went out and bought a policy.

When Armando Saldate was talking about insurance and murder, I said to him I would not do anything like that. Jim and Roger did not know about my dad having a policy on Christopher. I never mentioned that to anyone as I had completely forgotten about it.

I NEVER SAID TO ARMANDO SALDATE THAT COLLECTING ON THIS POLICY WAS NOT MY MOTIVE.

Since the day he was born, Christopher had been covered with medical insurance, dental insurance and life insurance through benefits from my employment. I've done that ever since he was born and took advantage of such benefits whenever my employer offered them.

Saldate testified that he asked her if Jim and Roger had spoken about how they were going to kill Chris and "SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD." She said Jim and she talked about it SEVERAL TIMES and believes that she, Jim and Roger only spoke about it on one occasion. He stated that Debbie told him that she and Jim went out together on one occasion with Chris "to do it" but that something happened and they decided not to. That he asked her if "to do it" meant to kill Chris and "SHE RESPONDED, YES." He further claimed that Debbie told him the plan was for Jim to do it and that he and Roger would then go to Metro Center and claim Chris had been lost. She said she never knew what method Jim was going to use "to do it."

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : AGAIN, I NEVER TOLD ARMANDO SALDATE THAT I DISCUSSED CHRIS'S MURDER WITH SCOTT OR STYERS. I NEVER TOLD ARMANDO SALDATE THAT I WENT WITH THEM (JIM AND ROGER) TO KILL CHRIS ON ANY OCCASION.

Saldate testified that Debra told him that on Saturday morning, December 02, 1989, she woke up and spoke to James Styers. Jim said they were planning to do it today and he was going to pick up Roger. She then got her son dressed in the clothing that she had previously described on the missing person's report and she told him Jim was going to take him to see Santa Claus. She said when Jim and her son left, she knew that they were going to do it today but was not positive because Jim had taken him out at least two other times and for several reasons had brought him back. Armando Saldate went on to say that Debra said that during the past month her son told her he missed his father and asked when he was coming home. On these occasions she felt disappointed that Jim had not done it yet. Saldate testified that he asked her if she was getting angry at Jim and Roger and she said she was not getting angry but disappointed because the longer they waited the more influence her ex-husband had on Chris.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : The only conversation Jim and I had that Saturday morning was that he asked to use my car to go do some Christmas shopping.

I NEVER TOLD ARMANDO SALDATE THAT ON THAT SATURDAY MORNING JIM TOLD ME THEY WERE PLANNING TO DO IT THAT DAY AND HE WAS GOING TO PICK UP ROGER. I NEVER TOLD ARMANDO SALDATE THAT I KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO DO IT TODAY - OR THAT JIM HAD TAKEN CHRIS OUT ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS BUT BROUGHT HIM BACK. I NEVER DISCUSSED HAVING MY SON MURDERED WITH ANYONE, EVER.

During the interview Armando Saldate asked about Mark and I mentioned that Chris often expressed how much he missed his father and that he'd always asked me when his father was coming over to see him. I explained to Armando Saldate how Mark was always in and out of jail or on drug binges and Chris didn't know or understand. All Chris knew was that he had a dad whom he loved and missed and would ask me where he's at. It always broke my heart to hear his questions about that.

Saldate testified that he asked Debra if that morning when Christopher left had she given him a special hug or kiss and she said she didn't have to. And that when he asked her to explain she said she had told her son that "God was coming down and going to take him and that he was going to be going to Heaven and she would be seeing him later in Heaven." Armando Saldate stated he asked her if she dressed him especially for that day (boots, levis and sweatshirt he was wearing) and she said she did not. She said she let CHRIS PICK OUT THE CLOTHES HE WANTED THAT DAY AND HE LOVED WEARING HIS BOOTS.

Saldate stated that Debbie went on to tell him that at approximately 3:20 p.m. she received a call from Jim saying he was at the mall and that she immediately realized that he had done it and her son was now dead. Then Debbie said Jim told her that Chris was missing and he was with a security guard and she never told Jim anything except to call her back later. She stated immediately upon hanging up the phone she prayed to God to take care of Chris and to do something that would never allow her to have any more kids. He testified she then told him that she was not crazy, and she would hope that nobody thought she was. SHE DID THIS BECAUSE SHE LOVED HER SON AND DID NOT WANT TO SEE HIM GROW UP LIKE HER EX-HUSBAND. Armando Saldate then testified that Debra asked him if he understood her and that he told her that HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT SHE WAS TELLING HIM BUT HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE END RESULT.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : Armando Saldate's statement that I told him that I said to Christopher that God was coming down and going to take him and that he was going to be going to Heaven and I would be seeing him later in Heaven IS A TOTAL LIE; THIS IS A TOTAL FABRICATION !

Armando Saldate pulled the comment, "I'm not crazy" from my earlier denial, and added, "hopes nobody thought she was." He's taking my answers to other questions and piecing them into his concocted version. Why God, why ? I don't know.

Armando Saldate's sentence in upper case. Again, he took two statements I made, one being "I love my son," and the other being "I don't want him to grow up like Mark" and he put the two statements together in the worst way.

When I answered Armando Saldate's questions about Mark and his addictions (is when) I asked Armando Saldate if he understood what I was saying, and he answered, "Yes."

Former Phoenix Police Detective Armando Armando Saldate then went on to testify that Debra was worried about her family not understanding and she believed her family would disown her. He said he explained that her family was still her family and that they would probably try to help her but she could not expect them to support what she did. He testified she then went on to talk about her father, that he would probably think she was crazy and stated again she was not. When Debbie asked if someone would try to pronounce her insane, he asked her if she was and she responded, "NO, I'M JUST AN EMOTIONALLY TROUBLED 25 YEAR OLD GIRL WHO NEEDS HELP DEALING WITH HER PROBLEMS." Armando Saldate said Debra said she had her problems bottled up in her and that she was never able to express herself from the time she married Mark UNTIL NOW. He stated that Debbie asked him how he felt about her and he told her there were other alternatives if she did not want her child. That she could have given Christopher to grandparents, her sister or someone else in her family, that they may have wanted him. Armando Saldate said Debra then told him that she probably could have and then said, "I GUESS I JUST MADE A BAD JUDGEMENT CALL."

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : CONTRARY TO WHAT DETECTIVE ARMANDO SALDATE TESTIFIED, I WAS CRYING AND I WAS SOBBING ABOUT THE NEWS OF CHRISTOPHER'S DEATH. I WAS ALSO TRYING TO FIGHT OFF ARMANDO SALDATE's ACCUSATIONS. NOT ONLY WAS MY SON DEAD, BUT THE MAN IS TELLING ME I'M GOING TO JAIL.

I mentioned that my family is not going to understand HOW I could be arrested for this and that I believed everyone would disown me, which actually turned out to be true. The only thing Armando Saldate said was that my family is still my family.

While denying any involvement and participation, and explaining to him I'm not capable of doing this, I told Armando Saldate if I hadn't wanted Chris, I had other alternatives. I could have asked my dad, Mark's dad or someone else in the family to take him. I said that to Armando Saldate, not the other way around.

Armando Saldate said to me, "I think you made a bad judgement call."

I NEVER TOLD ARMANDO SALDATE I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO EXPRESS MYSELF FROM THE TIME I MARRIED MARK UNTIL NOW.

Detective Armando Saldate testified that throughout the "interview" Debra was always concerned about what was going to happen to her, beginning at the first part of the interview and coming up continuously throughout the ride back to Phoenix, throughout the processing at Government Investigation Bureau (GIB), the booking and up to the time she was transported to the main jail. He testified that in the beginning, at Florence, she wanted to know if they would let her go back home. That he explained she was going back to Phoenix and be put into jail. She kept asking why she couldn't be let go and given a court date because she had never been in any type of trouble. Armando Saldate claimed he kept telling her that because of the seriousness of her crimes, she would have to go to jail. He further testified that throughout the interview she kept asking if she could get probation and was told she would be charged with first degree murder and that he was not the judge, however, first degree murder could carry the death penalty, life imprisonment or a lengthy jail term. That Debra wanted to know if she could get probation for life and even offered to let the courts tie her tubes and ensure she would never have kids if they would only put her on probation so she could go back to work. Her work was very important to her and it was the only thing she ever did good, and she would really miss her job if she had to go to jail.

Saldate wraps up the Florence session testifying that Debra kept telling him she felt bad and ashamed and she knew everyone was going to be staring at her because of this and that, "I worry about Jim." Armando Saldate testified that when he asked why she was worried about Jim, Debra answered, "WELL, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE HE HAD TO BE THE ONE TO DO IT." Armando Saldate testified he told Debra she should concern herself about her future and let Jim worry about his.

DEBRA REBUTTAL : First of all, in the midst of the shock and all the emotions I was feeling, and knowing I didn't do anything, I couldn't understand why I was going to jail. I know I'm innocent so, therefore, I asked Armando Saldate if he would take me back home. He said he couldn't.

I didn't know I was under arrest for murder, but thought it was something like negligence (me being the custodial parent and something happened to my child while in the care of someone I entrusted him to.) I was emotional and confused.

When we left the jail in Florence to go out to the car, Armando Saldate told me not to say a word to anyone about the interview, or to ask any questions. When in the car, I was dazed, emotionally exhausted, all I did the entire drive was stare out the window. I DID NOT SPEAK AT ALL DURING THE DRIVE TO PHOENIX.

Once we arrived in Phoenix and at the main Police Station, I asked Armando Saldate if I could use the phone to call my father about a lawyer. He said, "No."

I did NOT say I WOULD LET THE COURT TIE MY TUBES. This whole sentence is another one of those cut and paste jobs. At one point in the interview I said that Chris was all I wanted. I was trying to get Armando Saldate to understand that I loved Chris and would never do anything to hurt him. (These are statements being made as he's accusing me over and over and I'm desperately trying to defend myself.) Anyway, I mentioned that Chris was all l wanted and that I had searched for a doctor to do a tubal ligation.

That my work was very important to me - that's another planted statement. I had told Saldate about my plans to move out of Jim's place with Chris to Tempe. I explained how I had a good job and was able to provide a better environment for Chris, etc. and that my job was important to me.

I NEVER SAID, "WELL YOU KNOW, BECAUSE HE (Jim) HAD TO BE THE ONE TO DO IT."

Saldate testified that Debra was transported back to the Phoenix Police Department in a uniform Pinal County Sheriff's vehicle accompanied by him (Armando Saldate) in the back seat and driven by a deputy sheriff. That she was not handcuffed. During the trip back to Phoenix Armando Saldate claimed Debra kept asking questions to see if he knew what she was going to get. That she wanted to know if she could possible get bailed out and he told her it would possibly be a bailable offense and that her family could probably help her in that aspect. That she then told him that she didn't believe that her family would help her and that she thought her family would probably not understand why she did it, like he (Armando Saldate) did. He testified be again told her he understood what she was telling him but he could not condone her actions. That she asked him if he would call her father and explain to him what she had told Armando Saldate and ask her father to bail her out and get her an attorney. Armando Saldate testified that he agreed to do so when they got back to his office in Phoenix.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : Again, I was so confused about why I was under arrest because I know I didn't commit a crime. I thought if it was a negligence charge, maybe I could be released.

I did not ask this just so I could go back to work.

Saldate testified they arrived back in Phoenix at 2250 hours at the Government Investigations Bureau where booking information was obtained. That Debra asked him to call her father (Richard Sadeik) back in Florence, AZ, which he did. That he told Debra's father she had confessed to her involvement and that she told him she had done it because she did not want Chris to grow up like his father. Armando Saldate stated that when he passed along Debra's request for her father to try and bail her out, her father immediately answered he would not. Armando Saldate testified he then told him Debra asked to get her an attorney and Richard Sadeik said he had gotten in touch with Debra's mother in Switzerland and that her mother had talked about getting an attorney for her but that as far as he was concerned, they should give her a public defender because he would not make any attempts to get an attorney for her. Armando Saldate testified that he asked Debra's father if he wanted to talk to his daughter and he said he did not at this time. That Richard Sadeik said he would cross each bridge as he came to it and at this time he could not talk to her.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : I ASKED TO USE THE PHONE FOR A LAWYER, SALDATE SAID, "NO."

HE DID NOT TELEPHONE MY FATHER IN MY PRESENCE, IF AT ALL.

Saldate testified that as they waited to be transported to be booked, Debra asked him if there was a possibility that she may be released on her own recognizance so she could go to work and he told her that probably would not be possible. That she then commented that she had never been in any trouble and she would never leave the state and would be available for court. That she also asked Armando Saldate to call her employer but he refused and Debra said again how much she would like to go back to work because she really liked her job.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : I DID NOT ASK ARMANDO SALDATE TO CALL MY EMPLOYER. I DID NOT SAY, AGAIN, HOW MUCH I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO WORK BECAUSE I REALLY LIKED MY JOB.

Saldate testified when it was time for Debra to go HE FINALLY HANDCUFFED HER FOR THE FIRST TIME. He testified that Debra wanted him to go with her and when he said he wouldn't she IMMEDIATELY said she was scared. That he told her she had to face this by herself, that she was an adult and had made an adult decision to do something and now had to face the music. Armando Saldate testified that Debra's final words that night to him were that SHE HAD NEVER HAD ANYONE THAT SHE COULD SPEAK WITH BEFORE AND THAT THIS MAY SOUND STRANGE BUT SHE WAS STARTING TO FEEL BETTER AND SHE WAS NOW GETTING HER SELF-ESTEEM BACK.

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : This last paragraph is a total lie. I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GO WITH ME. WHEN HE HANDCUFFED ME, I CRIED AND SAID I WAS SCARED. THAT'S IT.

This concludes Former Phoenix Police Detective Armando Armando Saldate's report on his "interview" with Debra Jean Milke. Two things should be noted on the official report :

1. That the subject MIRANDA RIGHTS : 12-03-89, 1954 hours, "YES" appears in the information about the interviewee before the narration begins. This is not the format on any of his other reports or stated by any other detective in their reports. And
   
2. the very last statement in the seven page report states : IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS INTERVIEW WAS NOT TAPE-RECORDED BECAUSE DEBRA REFUSED TO HAVE HER STATEMENT TAPE-RECORDED.
   

DEBRA'S REBUTTAL : WHEN ARMANDO SALDATE ASKED ME IF HE COULD USE A TAPE-RECORDER, I SAID, "NO, I WANT A LAWYER."

As you read on, what follows is Detective Armando Saldate's court testimony where you can read for yourself that this man was prejudiced against me and had his mind set to arrest me on the word of a defendant that had been telling the police lie upon lie, hour after hour. The police absolved this defendant, Roger Scott, of being the killer because the police declared he was too stupid to have masterminded this murder. Well, the murder of my son, Christopher Conan Milke, just four years old, was heinous, heartbreaking, devastating and very very stupid. Detective Armando Saldate mapped out the case and how it was going to be, he closed off any roads that led down a different path and away from me.

www.debbiemilke.com

[questionmark]

How could she be convicted in the first place? What was the jury thinking? Bias?

The jury system, on first view, sounds pretty fair. Once you have seen "12 angry men" you wonder if the French and German sworn judge (one professional, 2-4 peers) system is not better.

The problem is that most don't want to be there in the first place and want it over as fast as possible, some times just skimming the evidence in a most cursory fashion. I don't know how long the jury deliberated in this case but my bet is they were in a hurry.

[Myles]

Could she be the killer?

No written or taped confession is pretty wierd.

[KlaraFall]

Have a closer look at the purported confession!

http://www.debbiemilke.com/en/case/docs/saldatereportcommented.shtml#.Uj2CBT_LJK4