Main Menu
Home Kenny Richey Death Row Scot could be executed by the summer Death Row Scot could be executed by the summer
Saturday, 08 May 2004
http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/
A Scot on death row in America could be executed within months, according to Amnesty International. The human rights group is campaigning on behalf of Edinburgh-born Kenny Richey who claims he is innocent.
Richey is awaiting execution in Ohio, over his role in an arson attack which killed a child 18 years ago. Despite lodging a last ditch-appeal a year-ago today, no decision has been made on his case.
For almost half of his 40 years, Kenny Richey has been awaiting execution. Originally from Edinburgh, the Scot was convicted of arson and the aggravated murder of a two year old girl in Ohio in 1986. The court was told that, motivated by jealousy, he started the fire to kill an ex-girlfriend, who was asleep in the apartment below.
Richey has always maintained his innocence, his supporters say he is the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
In March, 150 MPs signed a commons motion backing this claim after the Prime Minister pledged to look into the case. The final appeal open to the Scot was launched exactly a year ago and human rights groups say they are amazed that judges had not yet ruled on the case. Amnesty International believe if the decision goes against him, an execution date could be set as early as the summer.
Ironically, if Kenny Richey had agreed to a plea bargain offered before his trial, he would have been free years ago.
Related Links - Amnesty International
07/05/2004 17:55