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Tony Blair, England’s Prime Minister, has promised to look into the case of a Scotsman held on death row in Ohio for the last 17 years for a crime which campaigners claim he did not commit. Amnesty International describes his case as one of the most compelling cases of innocence they have ever seen.
The case of Kenny Richey, who was convicted of arson and aggravated murder after a child died in a fire in June 1986, was raised with Mr. Blair by Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael at question time. Mr Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) said: “Next week I will be visiting Kenny Richey, a British citizen who has been held on death row in Ohio for the last 17 years now. Will you undertake to make direct and personal representations to the Governor of Ohio at the appropriate time to prevent the killing of this innocent man?”
Mr Blair replied: “I understand Mr Richey is awaiting the decision on an appeal for his re-trial and that decision is expected soon. We are continuing to monitor the case closely and see what the result of his appeal is before deciding what further representations we need to make.”
The case of Kenny Richey, who was convicted of arson and aggravated murder after a child died in a fire in June 1986, was raised with Mr. Blair by Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael at question time. Mr Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) said: “Next week I will be visiting Kenny Richey, a British citizen who has been held on death row in Ohio for the last 17 years now. Will you undertake to make direct and personal representations to the Governor of Ohio at the appropriate time to prevent the killing of this innocent man?”
Mr Blair replied: “I understand Mr Richey is awaiting the decision on an appeal for his re-trial and that decision is expected soon. We are continuing to monitor the case closely and see what the result of his appeal is before deciding what further representations we need to make.”