IMPENDING EXECUTION OF KENNY RICHEY

Early day motion 1442, tabled 17 June 1998 by Chris Mullin (Labour). Signed by 32 members.

That this House notes with concern that the State of Ohio is preparing to execute Kenny Richey for the murder of a three year old girl killed in a fire at her mother's apartment; notes that two prominent forensic scientists are willing to testify that the fire was consistent with an accident; notes that, in the week before her death, the child had started three fires in her mother's apartment; further notes that a smoke detector that Mr Richey was alleged to have disabled is said by a witness to have been disabled by the girl's mother; believes that there are grounds for serious doubt about the safety of his conviction; notes, however, that America's higher courts have a long tradition of sending innocent men to their deaths; and calls on the Governor of Ohio to take the honourable course and commute Mr Richey's death sentence.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Conservative 1, Liberal Democrat 1, Unknown 1.