Bio

Richard Michael Rossi was born on June 30, 1947. He grew up in the United States. He lived in Arizona for a portion of his life. He became known at a later time for events that took place in 1983. 

Rossi’s life took a serious turn when he committed murder on August 29, 1983. This marked a significant and tragic point in his life. 

Murder Story

Around 12:30 p.m. on August 29, 1983, Richard Michael Rossi went to the home of Harold August in Scottsdale, Arizona. He had claimed he wanted to sell a typewriter. However, instead of a sale, Rossi shot Mr. August three times. After the first two shots, Mr. August asked Rossi what more he wanted as he revealed he had money. Rossi then shot him in the mouth, killing him.

A neighbor heard the gunshots and entered the house. Rossi attacked her with a blackjack and then shot her twice in the chest. While Rossi used special exploding bullets on both victims, the neighbor survived the attack.

Following the crime, Richard Rossi faced legal proceedings. He was tried and convicted of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and first-degree burglary. He received a death sentence on June 25, 1984. His sentence went through several appeals and resentencings. Over time, the courts upheld the findings of pecuniary gain and deemed the murder as especially heinous, cruel, and depraved.

The Arizona Supreme Court reviewed the case through multiple appeals, including a final appeal in 1992, which upheld the death penalty. Richard Rossi died in prison on April 22, 2006, at the Arizona State Prison Complex hospital in Florence, Arizona.