Kenny Richey set to lead fight on death penalty

Published on Thursday 27 August 2009 09:43

FORMER Death Row Scot Kenny Richey today said he hoped to launch a career as a public speaker campaigning against the death penalty in the United States.

The 45-year-old said he wanted to use his experiences in prison to give talks on behalf of Reprieve, which fights legal injustices.

&#149 Convicted killer Tam Richey talks of his own case and his brother Kenny

Richey also welcomed a decision by the Crown Office in Scotland yesterday to drop charges against him of stealing a handbag from an Edinburgh pub.

The former US Marine had pleaded not guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year to taking the bag from the Artisan pub in London Road on 26 March. He had also denied breach of an undertaking made on 26 July, 2008, not to commit any offences.

His co-accused, Ronald Mathieson, 44, of Springfield Road, South Queensferry, had admitted stealing the handbag at the earlier hearing, but failed to attend court yesterday. A non-appearance warrant was issued for his arrest.

Richey, who did not have to attend the hearing, said: "I have faith in the Scottish justice system. I didn't do it and I knew I would just have to wait until that was shown."

Richey – who came home to Edinburgh last year after 21 years on Death Row – had hoped to work as a gardener in the US, but the economic downturn had made picking up jobs difficult.

He added: "Although I have faith in the Scottish justice system, I don't have faith in the American system.

"I'm now looking at public speaking to talk about the death penalty."

Richey said he was rushed to hospital around a month ago where doctors initially believed he was suffering from congestive heart failure. He said: "The doctors still aren't sure what happened but my heart seems to be getting worse."

Richey is currently staying in Minnesota with his ex-wife, Wendy Amarud, after moving back to the US earlier this year.

His son, Sean Richey, was released from prison last week after being held on remand while facing nine charges including assault and fraud.

The 23-year-old, who will wear an electronic tag until next year to complete his supervised release, is now living with his parents.

Richey said: "Sean is living with me and Wendy. It's good to be back together again."

Richey returned to the US in April to be with his father Jim, who died after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Richey was jailed in 1987 for killing a toddler, but was freed after his conviction was quashed.