Condemned Man, Tired of Waiting, Sets Self on Fire : Death Row Prisoner Sets Himself on Fire; Reportedly Was Tired of Waiting to Die

HUNTSVILLE, Tex. —  A Death Row inmate set himself on fire because he was tired of waiting to die, another condemned man who wants to be executed said Wednesday.

Raymond Riles, awaiting execution for the slaying of a Houston used car dealer whom he robbed, remained hospitalized in fair condition Wednesday after setting a fire in his cell early Tuesday that burned him over 30% of his body.

Riles apparently surrounded himself with papers, books and Bibles and set himself ablaze, Department of Corrections officials said.

“He was fed up,” said James Smith, whose cell is next to Riles’. “No one is taking us very seriously. If we were all so fed up to ask that our appeals be dropped, that shows we are serious.”

Riles and Smith were among about 10 inmates who signed a petition earlier this year asking that their appeals be dropped and their executions be carried out.