HOPES that Kenny Richey, the Scot who has spent 20 years on death row in the United States, would be home for Christmas were sensationally dashed yesterday after he suffered a heart scare hours before a crucial court appearance.
The 43-year-old was due to walk free after a hearing in Ohio. However, the case was postponed after Richey complained of chest pains.
He was transferred from prison to the nearby St Rita's Medical Centre, where he is expected to stay for the n
ext few days after having a heart catheter fitted.
Last night, hospital officials said that Richey was in a stable condition.
He had planned to return to Scotland in time for Christmas.
Richey was sentenced to death in 1987 after he was convicted of an arson attack on an apartment block in Ohio in which a two-year-old girl died.
The hearing at Putnam County Common Pleas Court has been rescheduled for 8 January – although Richey's lawyer has said it could be held sooner if his client is well enough.
Richey had been expected to plead no contest to attempted involuntary manslaughter, child endangering and breaking and entering.
Beverly Miese, a deputy clerk at the court, said papers had been printed to formally postpone the hearing.
Ken Parsigian, Richey's lawyer, said his client's health was the "number-one issue".
He added: "Kenny was taken to hospital early this morning with a heart incident.
"The doctors have determined they need to put in a heart catheter. Obviously we would like to get Kenny released as soon as he is healthy enough."
His brother Steve Richey, who was at the court to attend the hearing, said Kenny had suffered at least one heart attack in jail and had complained about heart pains in recent weeks.
Mr Richey said that his brother had seen a doctor about the pain and was told that everything was fine, adding: "I guess it was the stress. It had to have been."
Karen Torley, Richey's former fiancee and a long-time campaigner for his release, described today's news as a "cruel blow".
Ms Torley, of Cambuslang, near Glasgow, said she believed postponing the trial was a "stalling tactic" by the authorities.
She added: "Kenny has had chest pains before and nothing was done. Year after year I have fought to get him medical treatment and they didn't even give him vitamin tablets until a couple of months ago It is only now they are doing something about it and it is a stalling tactic.
"I can't believe it. His mum will be gutted."
Reprieve, the UK-based charity which fights for prisoners on death row, said Richey had a history of heart problems, and has previously suffered two heart attacks.
Clive Stafford Smith, Reprieve's legal director, said: "This is a terrible tragedy for Kenny. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. His health has deteriorated throughout his time on death row."
He added: "I cannot imagine the stresses and strains of being an innocent man on death row for (20] years, and they have clearly taken their toll.
"We are all just hoping that he makes a speedy recovery and is able to return to the UK as soon as it is safe for him to do so."
Naomi McAuliffe, a spokeswoman for Amnesty International Scotland, said last night: "We're obviously concerned about this news.
"Kenny was on the brink of freedom after nearly 21 years on death row and it is a blow to his family and supporters that he will now not be home for Christmas."
Ms McAuliffe added: "The important thing now for Kenny is that after years of shoddy justice he gets good medical care and makes a speedy return to Scotland."
The full article contains 633 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
