Death-Row Kenny in cash battle with ex

Put on Death Row in 1986 for killing two-year-old Cynthia Collins in an arson attack in Ohio, Richey has always claimed to be innocent and had his conviction quashed on appeal last year - only to see that decision reversed by the US Supreme Court.

His younger brother Steve, 37, and son Sean, 20, say the former lovers are having blistering rows over his return to his ex-wife. Speaking from his home in Ohio, Steve says the relationship between Richey and mum-of-four Karen is at an all time low.

He said Richey has been begging Karen for the cash she's been raising on his behalf. Steve, who speaks to his brother twice a week, says Kenny regrets dumping his lover in public.

But the pair are said to be having constant arguments on the phone about money.

Steve went on: "Kenny is real sorry about what happened between Karen and him but he had to break the news somehow. As soon as the information came out things started to change between them and she stopped giving him money for phone cards and stamps.

"He says he's been asking Karen for the money since March but that he's not had any.

"I've been giving him $20 a week so that he can buy the things he needs to mail out letters and make calls. They have been arguing non-stop since she found out that he wanted to get back with Wendy.

"The past few months have been real tough for Kenny.

"No matter what happens now, he wants to be with Wendy.

"We would like to start our own campaign fund so that we can make sure that he is getting regular payments so he can call his lawyer and other people involved in the campaign."

Grandmother Karen, 42, of Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, was said to be devastated when Kenny dumped her from his cell at Mansfield Correctional Institution, Ohio, two months ago.

But Karen, who has spent more than 10 years involved in Richey's fight for freedom, claims she is continuing the campaign.

She hired PR guru Max Clifford last year to handle publicity, and visited London three weeks ago to watch the screening of an Amnesty International play about the case. She also plans to go to Ohio soon and has appealed for more donations.

Steve added: "Kenny is really desperate to patch things up and get the campaign back on track. He hopes things can be sorted out, but it doesn't look good at the moment."

Karen, who has made seven appeals for funds in five months, says she needs the money for food, travel and other costs.

"I'm asking for the means to keep up the campaign on other funds than my own, " she said.

"This is imperative as I am responsible for the well-being of my family of four, while living below poverty levels, and subsidising the campaign - all at the same time."

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