Health Concern For Death Row Scot

Tuesday, 01 August 2006

Kenny Richey was convicted of killing a two-year-old child in 1986

Human rights campaigners have raised fears over the health of a Scot on death row in the US.

Amnesty International said Kenny Richey, who is originally from Edinburgh, had heart surgery on Friday after complaining of chest pains.

The 41-year-old was sentenced to death in 1987 after being convicted of murdering a two-year-old child in an arson attack in Ohio.

He is awaiting a final ruling on his conviction from the Supreme Court.

Richey has always denied any involvement and last year his conviction was quashed by a US court of appeal.

We are concerned that the uncertainty in which Kenny is being kept is contributing to his health problems

Rosemary Burnett
Amnesty International

That decision was later overturned by the US Supreme Court, crushing Richey's hope of an imminent release.

The case has now gone back to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeal, which is expected to return its verdict in the next few months.

If the court upholds the previous verdict, then the authorities will have to re-try Richey within 30 days or release him.

His ill health has prompted Amnesty International Scotland to press for the ruling as soon as possible.

Government call

Spokeswoman Rosemary Burnett said: "We are concerned that the uncertainty in which Kenny is being kept is contributing to his health problems.

"Keeping someone on death row for over 19 years is tantamount to mental torture."

She went on: "Kenny has been living in legal limbo since his conviction was overturned in January last year.

"We urge the British Government to continue to make representations to the US authorities on Kenny's case.

"And we hope that the current legal processes see him released soon."