HONOLULU (KHON2) — A businessman turned convicted murderer, Michael Miske was found guilty on Thursday of more than a dozen charges. The verdict, the culmination of a six-month-long trial, giving justice to the families of Miske’s victims.
Guilty on 13 different counts including conspiracy to murder and racketeering, the verdicts were handed down in federal court for Michael Miske.
United States Prosecutors described Miske as the “epicenter” of a “criminal underworld” with a criminal enterprise that preyed upon society for the better part of two decades. The jurors effectively ending Miske’s reign as a kingpin in the islands.
“The crimes that they came back guilty on were all the violent crimes, the murders and the murder for hires and the assaults,” legal analyst Alexander Silver explained.
Silvert said that showed the jurors believed Miske was at the center of the violent crimes that occurred and while he was found guilty of conspiracy to murder, Silvert said he is now considered a murderer.
“Even if he didn’t commit the murder himself he certainly was participant in it, or even ordered it. So on your common parlance, you can call him a murderer,” Silvert added. “We’ve had other murder for hire cases, other murder cases. The racketeering charge, which is really was meant for huge gang violence or mafioso type activity, is what makes this case unique.”
Ashley Wong, former girlfriend of Jonathan Fraser, who Miske was found guilty of conspiring to murder, was one of the first to exit federal court on Thursday.
“I’m so happy he was found guilty,” Wong said. “But just know, nothing will bring him back. He has his justice.”
“Do you feel like you guys have closure?” KHON2 asked.
“Yes,” Wong replied.
“Today we got justice for Johnny,” Fraser’s mother Shelly Miguel said fighting back tears. “It’s not a win, because no one wins today. It’s justice for my son, so I ask everyone to pray for both sides. I want my son back. I want to know where Johnny is. I want to bring my son home please.”
Fraser’s body has never been found.
Silvert said Miske could offer the court that information in exchange for leniency.
“If he really was involved and knows where Mr. Fraser’s body is, and tells the authorities, that might buy him some leniency at sentencing,” Silvert explained. “On the other hand, he can’t do that if he’s going to appeal and claim that he was wrongly convicted, because that would be a confession.”
Miske’s sentencing will take place in four months. Silvert said given Miske’s age and the crimes he’s been found guilty of, he’ll likely spend the rest of his life in prison.
The jury will now decide if the government can seize Miske’s assets they allege were obtained through illegal activities.
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