Richey returns to Putnam

Richey, 43, is back to be retried for the 1986 fire death of 2-year-old Cynthia Collins in a Columbus Grove apartment complex. Putnam County Prosecutor Gary Lammers said he will seek the death penalty on aggravated murder and other charges.

The death penalty sentence is nothing new to Richey. He has spent the past 20 years on death row awaiting execution until a federal appellate court overturned his conviction ordering he be retried or release.

The federal court said Richey's attorneys at his 1987 trial did not provide him adequate representation.

Richey now has a top-notch legal team and a new judge. The Ohio Supreme Court on Monday appointed former Ohio 10th District Court of Appeals Judge Alan Travis to handle the case.

Travis was appointed after Putnam County Common Pleas Judge Randall Basinger recused himself. Basinger was the prosecutor who tried Richey in 1987.

Unless he posts bond, Richey will remain in the Putnam County jail until his trial is complete, which may be early next year.

Putnam County Sheriff James Beutler said Richey is being treated like any other inmate. He will be in one of the housing dorms with other inmates, he said.

The dorms have bunk beds, a television and tables where inmates play card games. Richey will be given one 30-minute visitation each week and is not allowed jailhouse interviews, Beutler said.

Richey's return began Monday morning with booking, which included an examination by the jail doctor and an assessment, Beutler said.

Richey's case has captured international attention because he shares U.S. and British citizenship. He has maintained his innocence and said a new trial will prove it.

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