Why I became involved

...in the Kenny Richey case.
Answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Prior to April 1995, I knew little about the death penalty and did not give it much thought. We don't have it here in the UK so it was not an issue for me.

I knew people where executed and I always assumed that they had to have committed crimes worse than any other prisoner.

In April 1995, things changed for me:

British born, Nicholas Lee Ingram was to be executed by the State of Georgia.
Due to him being British this made huge news in the media here in the UK.
We got to see what was happening almost as it happened.

http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/ingram.html
Explains the case and a little of what happened.

However what I witnessed was as Nicholas himself stated.

Ingram received a stay of execution 65 minutes before his execution was originally scheduled on 6 April.

However, according to a sworn affidavit, preparations for the execution continued for over 30 minutes after the stay had been issued. Ingram described the preparations in the affidavit.

Nicky spoke to his attorney and told him what had happened:

"At around 5.30pm last night I was taken from my cell in the hospital section to H-5, the cell by the chair. I had to walk by the chair, which was covered by a sheet.
I was sweating it, because walking by really brought it home.

"Apparently, at 5.55pm my case was stayed but nobody told me. Indeed, at 6.20pm - the time I know because the guards told me - they began to seriously prepare me for execution. It was devoid of humanity, a bunch of sick people who apparently volunteered for the job, acting like I was a lamb for the slaughter.

"They shaved my head with electric shears...They treated me like an animal, and said it was just a job. They had me put on some pants with a cut up leg for where they would attach the electrodes.

"They asked me what I wanted for a last meal. I said I did not want food, but I did want some cigarettes. They said the new policies forbid smoking. The chaplains were there most of the time - even before, when they put a finger up my anus in the strip naked 'physical' exam. They have told me it all starts again at 4pm today with the 'physical' once more, and I am to die tonight."

When Nicholas finally was executed,
almost "live" as it happened, the TV report continued.

I heard the news reader say:

"Ingram has shot back into the chair with a tremendous jolt when the first 2,000 volts surged through his body for four seconds. His fists, which were already clenched, clenched even tighter."

"A second jolt of electricity of 1000 volts is going through Ingram's body," we where told.

"Ingram has had a third bolt of 208 sent through him at 208 volts for two minutes. He remained motionless there with fists clenched until the current was turned off. There were no other sounds, no smoke, no sizzling. It was completely silent."

Later Vicki Gavalas, of the Georgia Department of Corrections, emerged outside of the prison to say:

"The order of the court has been carried out. Nicholas Lee Ingram was pronounced dead at 9.15pm." (0215am British time).

I did not know Mr Ingram, but what had happened to him appalled me so much.

I felt I had to do something to stop this from happening to another human being.

There was an article about Kenny Richey right next to the one reporting on Ingram's case.
I wrote to Kenny asking if there was anything I could do to help.

Originally I was simply fighting the death penalty as a whole. I knew little of Kenny's case.
However, I soon learned that something was very wrong with his conviction. If you have read this far, I am sure you can see on the site exactly what I mean.

Kenny's campaign began in 1995. We have been fighting for a retrial to have all of Kenny's evidence heard in a court for the first time ever in 17 long years.

The Internet has been an invaluable tool for the campaign.

Because it has meant so many people world-wide could get to learn about Kenny and his terrible situation.

Kenny has many, many thousands of supporters world-wide thanks to the Internet.

I have visited Kenny many times since 1995, and visiting death row is not the most pleasant of experiences. God knows how someone who has endured 17 years living in this terrible place.

If you can highlight Kenny's case, please contact me at
"This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it!"

I oppose the use of the death penalty for all people.
It is not necessary to kill someone to prove killing is wrong.
AndMurder killing is wrong. All murderkilling including state-sanctioned murderkilling.

Note that...

I have the deepest respect for victims families and of course sympathy for their distress and pain. I have many friends who have had their loved one's murdered, I also have many friends who are pro death penalty.

I still however do not believe the judicial system works when it comes to death penalty cases.

The death penalty does not deter murderers. If that was the case why are death rows not empty?
Why is Texas not the safest State in USA?

I believe after 8 years

...of looking at every aspect of Kenny's case that he is innocent and was convicted of a crime that did not happen.

Please feel free to ask questions either by email or on Kenny's message board.

Thank you

Karen
The Official Kenny Richey Campaign.