I READ with slight interest the plea by Catherine Lynch about her death row pen-pal and her quest to publish his poems (January 18), and, as a supporter of capital punishment, I thought I could put right a few details.

The body of an executed inmate is released to family or friends. If nobody claims it, it is placed in the prison cemetery.

Since she does not bother to ask of his crime: Richard Williams was convicted of the contract killing of 44-year-old Jeanette Williams.

She was stabbed repeatedly. He told police the $12,000 for the killing would allow him to set up his own recording studio.

He confessed he executed his victim for greed. Now the victim's family await his execution.

M Shilleto,

Chaloners Road,

Dringhouses, York.

Updated: 11:02 Friday, January 26, 2001