HONOLULU (KHON2) — The death in federal prison of one of Hawaii’s most notorious criminals leaves the cases of his accused co-conspirators in limbo and his victims without closure, according to legal experts. The tens of millions in assets seized are also likely to remain with the government.
Michael Miske was pronounced dead on Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Federal Detention Center.
He’s been at FDC since the 2020 pretrial and since this summer post-conviction. A jury found Miske guilty in July of racketeering conspiracy, murder in connection with the disappearance of Johnathan Fraser and 11 other felonies.
Miske was pending sentencing for a mandatory minimum of life behind bars. He was 50 years old.
“He was never coming out of prison, except if he was in a box. And then at his age, his life expectancy was probably another 30 years. So to think of that kind of life, he’d rather go than stay,” said Michael Green, attorney.
According to the Honolulu Medical Examiner, who took custody of Miske’s remains on Sunday, the cause and manner of death are still pending. Legal observers said foul play is unlikely.
“There was no one that the government cared that he ever gave up, because this guy, they say, was at the top of the list. This guy’s famous. He’s respected. This is a whole different mileu over there. In fact, some of the witnesses against him were treated very harshly over there. And there were allegations that they were beaten up because they testified against him at trial.
KHON2 asked Miske’s attorneys what questions they have about the circumstances.
According to Michael Green, there are going to be questions asked of the ACOs from his module or if there was a camera where he could be watched 24 hours a day.
FDC Honolulu is what’s known as an “administrative security” facility and so far they’ve only said:
No employees or other incarcerated individuals were injured and at no time was the public in danger. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Marshals Service were notified.
Around a dozen other alleged co-conspirators and accomplices have either been convicted separately or reached plea agreements in exchange for testimony.
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Attorneys said their cases and pending sentences should continue, as will the government’s forfeiture of tens of millions in assets. Victims likely will not be compensated.
“Whatever assets he ad was a result of a criminal enterprise or money laundering. It’s forfeited and the jury decided and it’s all been taken from him. So then what happens normally is it goes out to auction,” Green explained. “The law does not allow damages for pain, suffering and things like that.”