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Freed death row Scot arrives home Freed death row Scot arrives home
(30 minutes later)
Kenny Richey, the Scot who spent 20 years on death row in the US, has arrived back home in Edinburgh and said "it feels great".Kenny Richey, the Scot who spent 20 years on death row in the US, has arrived back home in Edinburgh and said "it feels great".
Richey, 43, was freed after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors in Ohio over an arson attack in which a two-year-old girl died in 1986.Richey, 43, was freed after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors in Ohio over an arson attack in which a two-year-old girl died in 1986.
His flight touched down at Edinburgh Airport at 1736 GMT.His flight touched down at Edinburgh Airport at 1736 GMT.
He said: "It's good to be back home." Richey left Edinburgh aged 18 to live with his American father in Ohio.He said: "It's good to be back home." Richey left Edinburgh aged 18 to live with his American father in Ohio.
'Smooth transition'
Richey's return was delayed by several hours when his flight from Chicago to Heathrow was cancelled because of bad weather.
He managed to board a flight to Frankfurt in Germany, where he caught a connecting flight to Edinburgh.
On arrival at Edinburgh Airport he said: "I would like to thank everybody who supported me all those years."On arrival at Edinburgh Airport he said: "I would like to thank everybody who supported me all those years."
When asked if he had anything to say to those who convicted him, he said: "I don't think you want to hear that."When asked if he had anything to say to those who convicted him, he said: "I don't think you want to hear that."
PR guru Max Clifford, who is representing Richey, revealed the 43-year-old had sold his story to two newspapers.PR guru Max Clifford, who is representing Richey, revealed the 43-year-old had sold his story to two newspapers.
For many of the people I have known in his position, adjusting to freedom turned out to be the hardest battle of all Clive Stafford SmithReprieve
Richey was convicted in 1987 of the arson attack on an apartment block in an Ohio town in which two-year-old Cynthia Collins died.Richey was convicted in 1987 of the arson attack on an apartment block in an Ohio town in which two-year-old Cynthia Collins died.
But in August last year the sentence was overturned.But in August last year the sentence was overturned.
'Smooth transition'
On Monday, he pleaded no contest to charges of attempted involuntary manslaughter, child endangering and breaking and entering at the Putnam County Common Pleas Court in Ottawa, Ohio.On Monday, he pleaded no contest to charges of attempted involuntary manslaughter, child endangering and breaking and entering at the Putnam County Common Pleas Court in Ottawa, Ohio.
He was sentenced to a total of 21 years - time which he has already served, most of it on death row.He was sentenced to a total of 21 years - time which he has already served, most of it on death row.
Richey has spent his first day of freedom in the US being reunited with family members, including his brother Steven. Outside world
Richey spent his first day of freedom in the US being reunited with family members, including his brother Steven.
His lawyer Ken Parsigian said that, despite fears Richey would be overwhelmed by the outside world after years in prison, he appeared to be adjusting well.His lawyer Ken Parsigian said that, despite fears Richey would be overwhelmed by the outside world after years in prison, he appeared to be adjusting well.
He said: "He got into civilian clothes for the first time, and he seemed to transform into a civilian. It was quite a smooth transition, I was surprised." UK-based charity Reprieve, whose legal director Clive Stafford Smith has been a member of Richey's legal team for 15 years, said he was thrilled about his return home.
"It was almost like the clothes made the difference." Mr Stafford Smith said: "What matters most now is that Kenny finds the support he needs to rebuild his life.
Many people can seem "cold and distant" after so many years locked away, but for Richey the opposite seemed true, the lawyer said. "For many of the people I have known in his position, adjusting to freedom turned out to be the hardest battle of all."
"He was warm and loving and comfortable with it right away," he said.