PHOENIX, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A retired Phoenix detective says he is still convinced Debra Milke was aware of what was going on as he questioned her in 1989 about the death of her young son.
Armando Saldate testified this week at a federal appeals court hearing on Milke's bid for a new trial based on her contention she was not read her rights nor offered an attorney.
Milke has been on Arizona's death row since 1990 when she was convicted of conspiring with two men who shot her 4-year-old boy in the desert.
The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday Saldate rejected Milke's contention that she was too dazed to comprehend what was going on.
"She knew what was going on, probably more so than I did," the retired officer said during testimony Monday.
U.S. District Judge Robert Broomfield will collect written summaries from both sides and report his findings to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by Feb. 2.
