Richard Laird, seen here in 2001, has been on death row since he was convicted of killing Anthony Milano in 1988. Read more Andrew Einhorn / Staff Photographer

by Vinny Vella Published Oct. 8, 2025, 3:26 p.m. ET

The nation’s highest court has denied an appeal from a Bristol Township man who was twice convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in a homophobic hate crime.

Richard Laird, 62, had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn his murder conviction and death sentence in the 1987 killing of Anthony Milano , saying his lawyers had failed to properly present evidence of the sexual abuse and trauma Laird experienced in his childhood.

The high court declined his request and upheld earlier decisions by state and federal courts affirming his guilt.

Bucks Cou

See Full Page