death penalty news January 31, 2005
OHIO: Richey vows to fight the death penalty Kenny Richey has vowed to continue his fight against the death penalty when he is released from prison in the United States. He is also hoping to return to Edinburgh and work in a pub or drive trucks. Kenny, who has languished on death row for 19 years for a crime he did not commit, has spoken of his anger he felt over his wrongful conviction. He said he was "incredibly bitter" about the miscarriage of justice - despite having his murder conviction overturned by an appeal court last Tuesday. Kenny, who is being held at the Mansfield Correctional Institute, Ohio, until state officials decide whether to challenge the ruling of the appeal judges, said: "Rage and anger seethe through my blood." But he said he was determined to fight for others on Death Row, who he believed were also innocent. "I'll continue to fight against the death penalty when I get out," he said. Kenny praised the campaigners led by his fiancee Karen Richey, who changed her name from Torley. In 1986, Kenny was convicted of the murder of his ex-girlfriend's two-year-old daughter, Cynthia Collins, by setting fire to her home in Columbus Grove, Ohio. He always denied the crime. Kenny, who grew up in Edinburgh, had moved to Ohio five years before his trial. The prosecution claimed Kenny had got drunk and started a fire to kill his ex-girlfriend, who was sleeping downstairs with a new boyfriend. Cynthia was trapped in her bedroom and died from smoke inhalation. Twice Kenny rejected plea bargain deals which would have spared his life if he had admitted arson. Richey is now waiting to hear whether he will be freed without a legal fight after his conviction was ruled unsafe last week. The US authorities may choose to appeal against the quashing of his conviction or order a retrial within 90 days. (source: Scotsman)
