Welcome home son

THIS is the small, sparsely furnished room where Kenny Richey will spend his first night back in Scotland.

But after more than 21 years on Death Row, the bedroom at his mother Eileen's modest flat in Orwell Terrace, Dalry, will surely feel like a palace.

The 43-year-old last night celebrated his release from prison with another long imagined luxury from home – a can of Tennent's lager.

His lawyer Ken Parsigian said he had kept a promise he made 12 years ago to enjoy a drink with his client once the threat of execution had been lifted forever.

Mrs Richey, 63, will head to Edinburgh Airport tomorrow to welcome back her son, after watching him walk free from the Putnam County Courthouse on the television news.

"I was in shock when I saw him outside the courthouse, and I think I still am," she said. "I was nervous, and after all the problems I couldn't really believe it until I saw him outside the courthouse.

"He looked so good and he must be over the moon to finally be out. I am still waiting to talk to him, but I'm just delighted he's finally free and I can't wait to see him. Everything here is ready and waiting for him."

After his release, Richey's family and friends gathered for a celebratory lunch, and the former prisoner enjoyed his first meal as a free man – New York strip steak and onion rings, with a Diet Pepsi and a strawberry cheesecake shared with ex-wife Wendy Amerud.

Then the party moved to the home of Richey's brother, Steve, in Cloverdale, Ohio, where supporters led noisy toasts to his release. The former US Marine finally settled down to watch movies, including Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and play video games.

Mr Parsigian told the Evening News last night: "I promised Kenny 12 years ago that I would share a can of Tennent's when he was released. Tonight I'm keeping that promise.

"Kenny had a steak dinner with family, friends and his legal team at a restaurant in the afternoon before being driven back to his brother's house. He really enjoyed that. Now we're all going to celebrate together.

"I'm thrilled and relieved that it's finally over. Living with the threat of execution never goes away."

Richey is expected to arrive in Edinburgh at 2pm tomorrow, and while there will be many things he wants to do, the first task will be a trip to the doctors.

Richey's release was delayed after he was admitted to hospital with chest pains, and tests revealed a blocked artery in his heart.

He has been given medication, but his family understand it will only be enough to get him home.

After that, they will be taking it one day at a time, and Mrs Richey revealed she was nervous about how Kenny would adjust to life on the outside.



"He'll want to go and see the places he used to go as a child, and I know he wants to see Fountainbridge," she said. "We will just have to help him get by, but it helps to know that the community here will be behind him."

At The Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road, the closest bar to Mrs Richey's home, a few regulars watched the court proceedings which saw Richey freed. They said he would be welcome there.