By Peter Ross
Adjusting to life as a free man hasn't been easy for Kenny Richey, with allegations of cocaine abuse the latest to hit the headlines. Here the man who survived 21 years on death row talks about his dreams for a future he thought he'd never have – being reunited with his ex-wife, getting to know his son – and his constant battle with suicide

Full Article
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/spectrum/Life-after-death-row-.3974391.jp

Thankyou for that post softheart. It is a very interesting read into his current life.
I personally always thought that when Kenny got released he should have taken his wife and ran as fast as he could to a place in the mountains in the middle of nowhere to give himself a chance at slowly getting back into 'society'. I think he did himself no favours by returning to Edinburgh.
I hope he can find the peace he is looking for.
J

Janey
You are so right, he spent so many years in a controlled place, that jumping right back in was impossible.
Spending so many years in prison for so many doesn't only steal time it steals who they are.
A huge adjustment like this doesn't happen over night it takes time.

softie

Thankyou for that post softheart. It is a very interesting read into his current life.
I personally always thought that when Kenny got released he should have taken his wife and ran as fast as he could to a place in the mountains in the middle of nowhere to give himself a chance at slowly getting back into 'society'. I think he did himself no favours by returning to Edinburgh.
I hope he can find the peace he is looking for.
J

I can't even begin to imagine what it is like to readjust to a society that you left 21 years ago.
I was really disappointed that no-one has persuaded him to get some help to readjust.
I know that many of his supporters are concerned about his mental welfare.
I just hope he does alright and can surround himself with supportive and understanding people, not just the hangers-on that want to ride his bandwagon.

Pals of coked-up Richey reveal he felt more alive on death row
Apr 13 2008 By Marion Scott

Exclusive: Coked-Up Richey Betrayed Us Say Pals

THE fiancee who fought to free Kenny Richey from death row says she feels "betrayed by his cocaine-snorting antics revealed in last week's Sunday Mail.

Richey - released after 21 years in a US jail awaiting execution - was pictured taking the drug after blowing £3000 at an Edinburgh casino.

Full Story
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk:80/news/scottish-news/2008/04/13/pals-of-coked-up-richey-reveal-he-felt-more-alive-on-death-row-78057-20380759/

he is for sure in my prayers

Pals of coked-up Richey reveal he felt more alive on death row
Apr 13 2008 By Marion Scott

Exclusive: Coked-Up Richey Betrayed Us Say Pals

THE fiancee who fought to free Kenny Richey from death row says she feels "betrayed by his cocaine-snorting antics revealed in last week's Sunday Mail.

Richey - released after 21 years in a US jail awaiting execution - was pictured taking the drug after blowing £3000 at an Edinburgh casino.

Full Story
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk:80/news/scottish-news/2008/04/13/pals-of-coked-up-richey-reveal-he-felt-more-alive-on-death-row-78057-20380759/

That article is even sadder to read. If what the paper prints as Karen's words are true ( We all know how the media bends the truth ) it is kinda shocking that Kenny's so-called supporters are 'putting the boot into him'.
I can't believe that they cannot understand why he isn't happy to be free and are angry at him for 'betraying' them. Why are they angry? Disappointed might be a better word.
When they supported him through the years did they do that out of pure kindness/fight for justice? Or was it a case of they were doing it for their own gain..i.e for recognition of their hard work, an ego-boost and now that he is having problems it is reflecting badly on THEM and they don't like it. If that is true, well then they are not true supporters but I really would hope it wasn't true. Having said all that I am sure there ARE many GENUINE supporters on his side who are probably frustrated and feel helpless watching Kenny go through this.
It is very sad that there doesn't seem to be much understanding/patience from the people close to Kenny, I mean why is Karen talking to the media? Why doesn't she talk to HIM of her concerns? Why the need to say stuff ( if her words were correctly printed ) about how angry his supporters are or how close to throwing him out his mum is etc? That's just kicking a man while he is down as far as I can see. I sincerely hope Kenny can come to terms with his new life now and I think he needs some true friends without ulterior motives who want to help him.
I really worry about my friend ( a lifer ) when I see this stuff happening as he may one day get out and could this happen to him? It is really sad to see.
Janey :(

It was reported in the UK press today that Kenny has just been diagnoised with mouth/throat cancer. The paper carried a picture and reported kenny as being deeply upset. I know the press can mis report but they were sympathic in their reporting so i suspect it may sadley be true

Yes he has a lump in his mouth it isn't in his throat. Here is the article about it.
softie

Mouth cancer op for Kenny Richey

JUST months after being freed from death row, Kenny Richey has been delivered a new blow with the confirmation he has cancer.

The 43-year-old chain smoker broke down in tears when doctors told him a lump in his mouth was malignant.

Full Article

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Mouth-cancer-op-for-Kenny.3991956.jp


It was reported in the UK press today that Kenny has just been diagnoised with mouth/throat cancer. The paper carried a picture and reported kenny as being deeply upset. I know the press can mis report but they were sympathic in their reporting so i suspect it may sadley be true

:( If I was a religious person I would offer a prayer for him :(

I saw a programme on him on Zone Reality the other day. I hope he gets better and that he gets some kind of adjustment help.

My thoughts are with him and i hope he makes a full recovery. Seems it's battle after battle for him.

You know the sad part about this and most of the other people that have been exonerated. They just throw them out the door and offer no services. They keep them for years and then poof out the door.

After being locked up for so many years and treated the way they are and the Hell they go through of course they are going to be messed up. We mess them up and them throw them right back out with no coping skills or any counseling or anything.

There needs to be something done for these people who's lives the system has messed up.

:angry:
softie

I agree there Softie... money doesnt solve the emotional, physical, mental abuse these people have been through. Imagine being there and seeing so many people put to death. I mean you see them go and they never come back. That must do something to a person.

You know the sad part about this and most of the other people that have been exonerated. They just throw them out the door and offer no services. They keep them for years and then poof out the door.

After being locked up for so many years and treated the way they are and the Hell they go through of course they are going to be messed up. We mess them up and them throw them right back out with no coping skills or any counseling or anything.

There needs to be something done for these people who's lives the system has messed up.

:angry:
softie
I SO agree with you there, I think there should be a certain job like some type of 'Resettlement Officer' for people coming out of prison after more than 15 years. Some could argue that there already is support in the form of the Probation Service, but realistically the Probation departments are totally overloaded with cases and have no time to spare to teach the newly released such things as managing money,claiming benefits,looking for housing etc.
Also from what I saw in my own line of work ( I worked with homeless people ) it all came down to time/money instead of people, for instance one of the duties in the job after one of our 'clients' managed to gain permanent accommodation, was to keep a daily then a weekly check on them to see how they were coping and to aid them in day to day living, shopping etc. This was one of THE most rewarding aspects of the job but more and more as a worker you were needed elsewhere ( like in the bloody office writing up reports for Health and Safety/ Performance Targets/ Rent Arrears Agreements and other office-based stuff ) and could not give them the support they desperately needed, so all too often they were not coping and falling back into their old damaging lifestyles that made them homeless in the first place...drugs/alcohol/mental ill health etc. It used to break my heart to see this happen right in front of me and I could do nothing about it. Also landlords/local authorities were only concerned about how much rent arrears there were, they didn't see ( and did not care ) that those arrears etc were all due to the knock-on effect from little or no support.
Yes the person had a responsibility to pay their rent but most times they needed to learn that.. a slow process for an ex-psychiatric patient or ex-drink or drug user, and next to impossible once you could no longer help them to empower themselves with your support. Yes too often they are just tossed out and left to fend for themselves. I could go on and on about this as its something I feel strongly about. Basically I wish there was a proper government-funded programme for something like helping ex-lifers/longtermers etc. Yes there are many good organisations but they ( like Probation ) will tell you they are bogged down in paperwork/red-tape/targets and money matters. Such a shame.:(
Sorry to ramble on :D
Janey

Many States don't give exonerated inmates a dime, they have to sue to get a dime if any.

Probation services doesn't help exonerated inmates they aren't let out on probation. They are innocent and just thrown out to mostly fend for themselves.

Kenny didn't receive any compensation for the State. he did get some money for selling his story. But the State didn't do anything they just tossed him out.

Janey you have a hard job.:thumbsup:

The whole thing makes me sick.

softie

You would think someone somewhere in the system would make restitution to those who are exonerated but they just don't care.
Thankfully Kenny has some support from another exonerated guy...Paddy Hill, one of the alleged IRA pub-bombers in Birmingham in the 70's. Hopefully Mr Hill's help will ease Kenny's burden.

Slainte

Janey

Paddy Hill is an amazing guy, very forthright and focused.
If anyone can help Kenny it will be him.
Another person that would be good for him is Kerry Max Cook, he has really made a good life for himself, despite all those years on TX death row. (shame they have the Atlantic ocean separating them!)

I really feel for Kenny, he has been cast adrift and no amount of money is going to help him recover, he needs support and safety whilst he heals.

It is not just no one is there to help these people, but read some of the article. It is still questioned if or not he did the crime. The newspapers which did not get to buy his story are smashing him. No one leaves him alone to carry on his life. Everything is followed and smashed to pieces. There is no way he can shine within a few weeks after 21 years, also being ill, and also being left bitter. Also going to such a big town as Edingburgh wasn't a wise move, but the media would slash im no matter where he is.

Yes Schmusi you are spot on with that observation...the media ( most particularly the British media ) are very quick to pull someone to pieces if they don't act the way they want them to.

Also, last night I was looking at Paddy Hill's organisation's website ( Miscarriages of Justice Organisation..MOJO ) and see that they are trying to raise the necessary funds to build and maintain a 'retreat' for exonerated ex-prisoners so they have a place to go where they can ease themselves back into society with no pressure etc.
Hope they succeed in this but I bet they won't get a penny from the British Government.
Good luck to MOJO! :thumbsup:
Janey

To be honest with you Janey I don't think Britain should pay for this. The US should. They made the mistake so they should pay. As for the media.. doesn't matter if it is the British or the US or the German.. they are all the same. Anything for a story, anything to slash someone. They do not care. They are the once to pre-judge and make peoples mind up before someone is procecuted, and they will be the first to slash you even more when you think you won. Totally unhuman.
Still.. also good luck from me to MOJO

To be honest with you Janey I don't think Britain should pay for this. The US should. They made the mistake so they should pay. As for the media.. doesn't matter if it is the British or the US or the German.. they are all the same. Anything for a story, anything to slash someone. They do not care. They are the once to pre-judge and make peoples mind up before someone is procecuted, and they will be the first to slash you even more when you think you won. Totally unhuman.
Still.. also good luck from me to MOJO


I know I'm new to this forum, but I had to reply to this post. I'm a member of the media (the mainstream media, at that), and I don't feel it's true we're all the same. I know you're probably venting, but please keep in mind that we are in fact human! Some of us really do care. For example, I'm working on a story about a DP-related issue right now on my own time. I also took time out to attend a training seminar today about how to respect survivors' families so I could make sure to be as sensitive in my reporting techniques and in my coverage as possible. I don't think it serves anyone well to antagonize us.

I know in Britain it's a bit more of a free-for-all sometimes, but if you want to blame someone in the US, blame Big Business managers, who increasingly make editorial decisions based on the bottom line.

Schmusi I didn't mean in my above post that anyone should pay for what Kenny went through..although that IS a whole other subject. I was talking about the retreat centre that MOJO was trying to raise funds for to be built and maintained in Scotland or wherever it will be...THAT is what I was betting that the Brit government wouldn't give a penny to, for the simple fact that if it will not even admit its miscarriages of justice it sure as hell wouldn't contribute to something like a retreat for exonerated prisoners...if that makes sense...I write things all over the place at times lol :)

And Zanzan yes 'it's a dirty job but someone has to do it' to quote an Irish saying.

Slainte

Janey :thumbsup:

I know I'm new to this forum, but I had to reply to this post. I'm a member of the media (the mainstream media, at that), and I don't feel it's true we're all the same. I know you're probably venting, but please keep in mind that we are in fact human! Some of us really do care. For example, I'm working on a story about a DP-related issue right now on my own time. I also took time out to attend a training seminar today about how to respect survivors' families so I could make sure to be as sensitive in my reporting techniques and in my coverage as possible. I don't think it serves anyone well to antagonize us.

I know in Britain it's a bit more of a free-for-all sometimes, but if you want to blame someone in the US, blame Big Business managers, who increasingly make editorial decisions based on the bottom line.

Look around you, read the paper for instance especially in murder cases. Look what happens in the media. It is never everybody, but the majority is like that. I am not venting by the way, I gave up venting a long time ago :) It is good if you are different. I have not seen many occasions where stories have been down to the truth on both sides. I have seen on plenty of occasions where people are slashed to bits, been judged before the trial was over, where stories have been one sided only, where stories have been made even worse than what they were, and so on. I am not slashing everyone, because we also need the media as a tool, I just wish for mor people who would stay with the truth rather than booting people down even more.

Schmusi I didn't mean in my above post that anyone should pay for what Kenny went through..although that IS a whole other subject. I was talking about the retreat centre that MOJO was trying to raise funds for to be built and maintained in Scotland or wherever it will be...THAT is what I was betting that the Brit government wouldn't give a penny to, for the simple fact that if it will not even admit its miscarriages of justice it sure as hell wouldn't contribute to something like a retreat for exonerated prisoners...if that makes sense...I write things all over the place at times lol :)

And Zanzan yes 'it's a dirty job but someone has to do it' to quote an Irish saying.

Slainte

Janey :thumbsup:
oops got you wrong :)

Look around you, read the paper for instance especially in murder cases. Look what happens in the media. It is never everybody, but the majority is like that. I am not venting by the way, I gave up venting a long time ago :) It is good if you are different. I have not seen many occasions where stories have been down to the truth on both sides. I have seen on plenty of occasions where people are slashed to bits, been judged before the trial was over, where stories have been one sided only, where stories have been made even worse than what they were, and so on. I am not slashing everyone, because we also need the media as a tool, I just wish for mor people who would stay with the truth rather than booting people down even more.

I know, I see what you're saying. I feel that outrage, too. The reason I got into journalism was to help change that. There are a lot of us that feel that way. Unfortunately, we often have bosses who don't. If you want to change the way the media is, don't support media organizations run by corporations. Reporters have become so far distanced from real decisionmaking that blaming them is like blaming a gas station attendant for an oil spill in the ocean.

There aren't many that are not under a corporation these days. What I do like to see and noticed these days, that there are a lot of American papers, even in Texas, who say that the DP is wrong. What a change and that shows me that more and more people are against the DP. Two years ago the papers where screaming out for people to get executed. So I do like to see the change even though it does not show much honesty :)
Good luck for with trying to change. That would be great to see.

Thankyou for sharing the article with us.I cant imagine what it is like to come out of that life and have to start all over again.

I hope he has a happy and fulfilled life now