Man convicted in 1987 murder wants charge dropped, new trial

NEWPORT, Ky. (AP) – A man convicted of murder in 1987 is hoping to take a step toward freedom.

The Kentucky Enquirer reports (http://cin.ci/1YljJFH ) 63-year-old William “Ricky” Virgil is scheduled for a hearing Friday on a motion to dismiss his murder charge and release him from prison or grant him a new trial based on new DNA evidence.

The Kentucky Innocence Project, which investigates innocence claims and fights for exoneration with new evidence, plans to argue on his behalf.

Program director Linda A. Smith says Virgil should be released and further investigation conducted into the slaying.

In 1987, Virgil was arrested and charged in the killing of 54-year-old Retha Welch. Authorities say she was raped, stabbed repeatedly and bludgeoned with a vase.

Virgil was sentenced to 70 years in prison. He maintains his innocence.