A Visit to Pennsylvania's Death Row

Could you give us a bio of yourself?

Linda Young, age 44, 2 grown-up children, live in the U.k. . I hate injustice and cruelty in any form. I like trying new things, reading, travelling, meeting new people.

I understand you recently visited the US, and Pennsylvania's death row, who did you visit there, and what is his relationship to you?

I visited Herbert Blakeney, he's my Fiance.

How did you meet him?

I met Herbert through an organisation called 'Lifelines', it provides penpals for inmates.

Where does Pennsylvania house their death row inmates?

Herbert's in S.C.I. Greene , Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.

What is he convicted of, and how long has he been on death row?

In Feb. 2000 Herbert was convicted of the murder of his stepson.The murder was actually committed by a cop who had shot Herbert during an argument, thought he had killed him and murdered the child to 'justify' his own actions. Although badly hurt, Herbert saw the murder.

Have you any idea how he must have felt, and he was unable to do anything.Herbert was shot in the left shoulder, the right thigh, and when he held up his hands begging him to stop he was shot in the left hand. Because Herbert had turned his head to the left, this bullet went through his hand and lodged in his face!This final bullet resulted in the amputation of the index finger on his left hand and the surgeons had to peel back his scalp to remove the bullet from his right cheek so he has a horrendous zigzag scar across his scalp.

We have been fighting for justice ever since. I have seen all the paperwork, evidence etc. and even I can see it was impossible for him to have committed this crime! Because of the nature of the crime we are finding it difficult to get help. Some people appear to be more worried about their reputations than justice and are reluctant to help i.e. they won't take on the system and so an innocent man has to suffer for a cops crime! I guess at this point I should say that I'm not naive and I'm not a' Death Row Groupie'! I've did a lot of research before I committed myself to this and I have no doubt of Herbert's innocence. His family and I are in regular contact

Is this the first time you have visited him?