Kenny Richey is one hearing away from execution

Edinburgh-born Kenny Richey was sentenced to death after being convicted of arson and the aggravated murder of a two-year-old girl in Ohio.

His case is currently in appeal, but Richey told the Sunday Post newspaper that he would rather be executed than spend any more time behind bars.

Richey, who has been in jail since 1986, insists he is innocent.

Last month his case was sent by judges at Ohio's federal appeals court for the US Sixth Circuit to the state's Supreme Court, to rule if his murder conviction was safe.

I want them to kill me. Kill me or release me. If they don't do it to me then I'll do it myself Kenny Richey

The judges have suggested Richey's conviction for capital murder might be unsafe and if so, he should be re-tried or released.

He is now one hearing away from execution, but the review of his case could take months and the Supreme Court has the power to reject the federal judges' findings.

'Kill me'

Richey also said he would rather commit suicide than spend any more time in prison.

"I want them to kill me. Kill me or release me. If they don't do it to me then I'll do it myself.

"Or I'll create a situation in here where they will get the chance to kill me," Richey said.

He has been on death row after refusing a plea-bargain which would have seen him paroled more than ten years ago.

Richey has been supported in his campaign to prove his innocence by 150 MPs in the House of Commons.

Last March, a motion was signed backing his claim after Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged to look into the case.