Poor health of Death Row Scot alarms campaigners

Published on Sunday 28 January 2007 01:20

JUSTICE campaigners last night voiced serious concern for the physical and mental health of Kenny Richey, as he reached his 20th anniversary on Death Row.

The 42-year-old, originally from Edinburgh, has always protested his innocence over his conviction in Ohio for an arson attack which claimed the life of a toddler.

Richey spends 23 hours a day in a cell measuring 8ft by 12ft and in his article for Scotland on Sunday revealed how he paces back and forth for an hour, hoping to tire himself out.

Richey reveals his psychological torment is "acute" and, in a particularly disturbing section, says: "I'm often overwhelmed by a strong feeling that I'm nearing the end of my life."

The contents of Richey's article prompted serious concern from campaigners.

Marc Callcutt, of Reprieve, who met Richey last summer, said: "I met Kenny just before his second heart attack and I had concerns then. He is desperate for his case to be heard properly and that is obviously having an effect on his health.

"His health is deteriorating all the time and the only hope now is that a court rules in his favour before his health is beyond repair."

Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen added: "I think anyone reading Kenny's account of 20 heartbreaking years on Death Row would oppose his execution and support him in his quest to prove his innocence."

Richey was arrested in July 1986 for the murder of two-year-old Cynthia Collins, who died in a fire at her mother's apartment.

Protesting his innocence, Richey refused a plea bargain which would have led to an 11-year sentence for arson and manslaughter. US judges met last Wednesday to consider whether evidence that emerged after his murder trial should be re-examined but the case rumbles on.