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Kenny Richey claims he has severe post-traumatic stress disorder

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Published Date: 09 March 2009
FORMER Death Row Scot Kenny Richey said today that he has "severe" post-traumatic stress disorder.
The 44-year-old said he was trying to arrange hospital treatment to help him overcome the condition so he could move on with his life.

He also said he missed being behind bars and that he wanted to be in prison again.

Richey was released from a
US jail and returned to Edinburgh last year after 21 years awaiting execution.

Last week he walked free from a Scottish court after around seven months in custody awaiting trial on assault and robbery charges, which were later dropped.

He admitted a breach of the peace but was freed at the High Court in Paisley on Friday by Judge Lord McEwan who said he had suffered enough.

Richey said his experience had affected his mental health and he wanted to sort out his problems so he could focus on the future.

He said: "I've been to see a psychologist about it and he's the one that diagnosed me with severe post–traumatic stress syndrome.

"I'm trying to get checked into a hospital in Ayrshire – so hopefully I can arrange that and after that, I don't know.

"I'd like a job."

Richey was put on Death Row in January 1987 after being convicted of an arson attack in which a two-year-old girl died.

The former Marine was freed after reaching a plea deal in 2007 with US prosecutors and has been back in the UK since January 2008.

The 44-year-old said he felt some nostalgia for his time in prison.

He said: "It sounds crazy but I actually miss it. I don't know what it is, I just feel that I want to be in again.

"I guess I miss the routine and the discipline."

However Richey questioned why he was not released on bail while awaiting trial in Scotland, saying that anyone else in the same situation would have been given bail.

And he does not like the effect his years in prison had on his personality.

"Over the years I think I've picked up the American traits. There's an arrogance I can't stand, to be honest with you.

"I don't really like the person I've become. I tend to hate myself actually.

"I don't subconsciously seek any trouble. I try to avoid trouble as much as possible.

"I don't go out looking for fights or anything else. They come to me."



The full article contains 420 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 09 March 2009 12:31 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Kenny Richey
 
1

True Jambo,

Edinburgh 09/03/2009 12:35:00
well his mind will be a bit shakey after years in a small box. I reckon it would screw me over big time. Still no excuse to cause trouble though.
2

BobW,

Toon 09/03/2009 12:53:37
Im sure the child he killed was a bit stressed before she burnt to death. Her family must have been having a bit of a hard time too. Sorry Kenny, no sympathy.
3

hibbywul,

09/03/2009 13:29:15
I'm with BobW on this one.
4

elayne,

09/03/2009 13:30:00
got little sympathy!hes got himself into trouble several times since he was released,,i think hes at it big time!
5

Aesop,

Edinburgh 09/03/2009 13:34:48
To 2 & 3 - forensics have already proved that Kenny Richey did not set fire to the property in which the child died. The forensic tests showed that the fire was caused by an electrical fault at a switch. But if you feel a need to excuse the US legal system for its lynch mob mentality and injustices perpetrated against innocent individuals then sleep easy in your prejudice my friends.
6

BobW,

Toon 09/03/2009 14:08:26
The defence lawyers produced someone to say that the fire 'may' have been started through an electrical fault. kenny pled guilty to the offence and the US courts still want to carry on with the prosecution. An 'expert' paid for by the defence is hardly conclusive evidence. Hands up who believe he is innocent?
7

Florentine_Pogen,

09/03/2009 14:34:34
Kenney Richey = Parasitic Murderer who should have got a meet with 'Ol Sparky years ago.

What is the EN's morbid fascination with this waster ?
8

Logie Almond,

09/03/2009 14:36:14
When he got out I predicted he would be dead or back in jail inside a year. The man is a complete waster and a cynical manipulator of the media.
9

Livi Mac,

Livingston 09/03/2009 16:03:46
Oh Yes the guy looked Very stressed and severe in the Chesser bar on saturday sitting drinking and singing on the Kareoke!
10

JuniorJ03,

09/03/2009 16:36:21
I agree with 7, this isn't even a story. Ritchie is nothing but scum who should have been fried years ago. Those who think otherwise are just as bad as he is.
11

True Jambo,

Edinburgh 09/03/2009 16:39:36
#9 try spending 20 years waiting to die and we'll see if you come out saine.

all im saying is he'll be ill for a long time after an experience like that and not that i like the man
12

Livi Mac,

Livingston 09/03/2009 16:48:24
Nah I dont intend on doing anything to even spend a day in jail let alone 20 years on death row. You trying to make me feel sorry for him now??
He could be a really nice guy?? but this isnt exactly world breaking news? and has he just discovered it? hes been out the place for over a year now!
13

pete_34,

edinburgh 09/03/2009 16:58:55
I think all of you should think twice blaming other people. Dont forget "what comes around, goes around".

Just because you have pleaded guilty does not mean to say that the person is guilty. I remind you of the previous miscarriages of justice because of the person being forced or co-erced in to pleading gulty or confessing. It still goes on, even in today's Scottish Courts. Don't forget the plea barganing that goes on.

I think people should wake up and when any of you end up in court on a Breach of the Peace charge, then you will see how it feels. You can get this charge for any misdemeanor these days.

I think Kenny Ritchie has been through enough and you all should think about how you would feel in his position.
14

Dragonlord,

09/03/2009 17:23:10
13# So you and a judge think he's been through enough. Well I for one think he should have fried for what he did. He accepted a lesser charge, because his legal team knew he was never going to be freed. The fact that he was allowed to come here after his release is a disgrace. How much money has he put into the system, and how much has he screwed out of it since his return?
15

P Phillips,

UK 09/03/2009 18:22:04
I don't believe he is guilty of the murder - even if he was, he's done 21 years in conditions that are much harsher than those in UK prisons. I'd say that was punishment enough - most murderers here serve less time than that, and in easier conditions.
There's no doubt that he has behaved like a complete idiot since he came back to Scotland, and it was only a matter of time before he ended up back inside.
Maybe this time he can keep his head down and keep out of trouble, but I'm not holding my breath.
16

True Jambo,

Edinburgh 09/03/2009 18:22:26
#14 why do you want him to be "fried"? We don't have a death penalty here. Also did he actually set out to MURDER that girl?
17

Julian.,

edinburgh 09/03/2009 22:21:14
Dragonlord and BobW,

I would have thought a year after his release we would have had an end to this misinformation.

The guy made no contest to the lesser charge after refusing a chance to plead guilty to it. He could have been released months earlier if he had taken the guilty plea. So please don't use this misinformation as evidence of his guilt. I wonder how many of you guys would have done the same in his situation. The truth is you don't know what you would do but the chances are most of you would have taken the guilty plea to be released early after 22 years inside.
18

The real dracula,

10/03/2009 02:01:17
Feel nothing but contempt for you mr Richey you killed a wee girl. PTSD my ar$e , had you come back from afghanistan yes , but your not that brave.

You deserve everything you get and more.

Oh and if you want treatment pay for it yourself instead of scabbing of us taxpayers who want nothing to do with you
19

happy lady,

fife 10/03/2009 09:20:23
why can he not just go bury his head..animal,to go on radio saying hes suffered ,look at all the folk that had suffered in his hands,what about the poor old man he beat up,he wasnt cleared there wasnt enough evadence to prosacute him!watch this space just a matter of time maybe his next victim wont be so lucky,hes scum!
20

J4cko,

10/03/2009 11:45:03
This is not news and the EEN should stop printing stories about this man, I really don't see what the deal is with Kenny Ritchie or why he makes the news all the time.
21

right from wrong,

Edinburgh 12/03/2009 11:20:28
#20 J4cko, the deal with Mr Richey is that he is the one that courts the media leaking stories making deals with the tabloids, even while in Saughton was at it!
I for one just hope that people in the DHSS are keeping note as why should us tax payers subsedize him in benefits when he gets hundreds of pounds from selling his stories.
22

jambo vicki,

edinburgh 12/03/2009 15:22:39
That is top news!!! there are more important things happening in the world without him moaning about having post traumatic stress, he is a total muppet. Sick of hearing about what a hard time he is having SO WHAT! go back to america
23

Foo,

21/03/2009 06:21:14
This clown should have been executed by the US justice system years ago. He burned a young girl to death - an horrific and agonising death.

Kenny Ritchie, somehow you escaped justice, and yet what have you done with your second chance? Nothing. Drink, smoke and make a fool of yourself and those who believed in you, culminating in an attack on a foolish old man.

Kenny Ritchie, you are a lazy, selfish coward who deserves no sympathy. The people of the US and UK know you to be a murderer and an unrepentant liar.
24

The grime reaper,

in the toon 04/04/2009 14:33:22
Kenny Ritchie.....You are a Bam mate. Seems to me that Ur contradicting yourself mate. The last time you spoke to the papers you were saying you were getting terrorized in Saughton. Now you are saying you want to be back inside. Make up you're mind ya head case that ye are! You're mental right enough pal, You're a compulsive liar and an attention seeker. Ken what...? Go Fu3k yersel ya dafttie.

 

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