Summary
A BBC cameraman named Rhys Williams maintained a 20-year pen-pal relationship with Roderick Orme, an inmate on death row for murder and rape. Williams recently traveled from Wales to meet Orme for the first time at a Florida prison. The friendship began when Orme, who has Welsh roots, was seeking a pen pal and although not initially interested in media involvement, corresponded with Williams through letters.
Key Facts
- Rhys Williams is a BBC cameraman who exchanged letters with Roderick Orme for 20 years.
- Roderick Orme is on death row for the 1992 rape and murder of his ex-partner, Lisa Redd, in Florida.
- Orme was under the influence of drugs and alcohol during the crime for which he was convicted.
- Williams did not initially know details of Orme's crime but chose to maintain the correspondence.
- The two met face-to-face in Florida for the first time, documented in a TV program.
- Williams has kept all letters exchanged with Orme over the years.
- Orme, having appealed his sentence twice, reportedly accepted his punitive fate but does not fully admit guilt.
- The sister of Orme's victim, Lisa Redd, expressed her inability to forgive both Orme and Williams.
