17/04/2008

Former Death Row Scot In Cancer Battle

A Scottish man, who was released from Death Row after spending over two decades imprisoned, has been dealt another devastating blow, with news he has mouth cancer.

Kenny Richey, from Edinburgh, who is due to have a malignant growth inside his cheek removed next week, said he is determined to fight the disease so he can return to the US and visit his grandchildren. He will also undergo a course of radiotherapy.

Mr Richey told the Scottish Sun: "When my specialist told me the tests were positive I just broke down in tears.

"I had to prepare myself for the worst but actually hearing the news was just devastating.

"After spending 21 hellish years in prison I thought I had been given another chance at life."

The 43-year-old former marine moved from Scotland to Ohio when he was 18 to live with his father.

He had spent 21 years in prison after being convicted of an arson attack in which a two-year-old girl died.

Mr Richey has always denied setting fire to the building in which Cynthia Collins perished. He was freed in January of this year after reaching a plea deal last year with American prosecutors.

(JM/KMcA)

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