The investigation quickly focused on Kenny Richey, because Hope told police that he was babysitting for her that night and investigators believed he set the fire to kill his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend who lived directly below the Collins apartment.
During an interview the following day, Richey told police that he was drunk the night before and didn't remember much, but he denied setting the fire and denied that he was babysitting for Collins.
During the fire, Collins had risked his own life to try to rescue Cynthia Collins and had to be restrained by firemen from entering the burning building.
Adamant that he is innocent, Collins turned down a plea deal with prosecutors that would have given him an 11-year sentence. He was convicted and sentenced to death in 1987.
Latest Developments
Kenny Richey to Plead No Contest, Be ReleasedDec. 20, 2007
A man who spent 20 years on death row after he was convicted of setting a fire that killed a two-year-old girl, will plead no contest today and will return to his native Scotland on Friday. Kenny Richey will enter a no contest plea to attempted involuntary manslaughter, child endangering and breaking and entering today in Putnam County, Ohio.
Previous Developments
Kenny Richie to Get New TrialAug. 24, 2007
After 20 years on death row, Kenny Richey will now be moved to a county jail and could possibly be released on bond as he awaits a new trial for the murder of a two-year-old girl. The opportunity for a new trial came after prosecutors decided not to appeal a court ruling overturning Richey's 1987 conviction for the second time.
Court Orders New Trial for Richey Again
Aug. 10, 2007
For the second time, a federal appeals court has ordered a new trial for an Ohio man convicted of setting a fire that caused the death of a two-year-old girl that he was babysitting. Investigators said Kenneth Richey set the fire to kill his ex-girlfriend who was in the apartment downstairs.
Kenneth Richey's Death Sentence Overturned
Jan. 25, 2005
A federal appeals court has overturned the conviction and death sentence of Kenneth Richey, convicted of killing a two-year-old girl by starting a fire in his ex-girlfriend's apartment building, and ordered the state of Ohio to retry him within 90 days or release him.
