William Morva

A US citizen with close ties to Hungary, William Morva is currently facing the death penalty in Virginia, USA.

Born in 1982, Will is one of the youngest prisoners on death row at Virginia's Sussex I State Prison. He is now being assisted by Reprieve's EC Project because of his strong familial links to Europe.

Will's father, Morva Aќos Karsi (Charles Morva), was born in Budapest but fled his homeland with his first wife and child during the 1956 uprising. Charles Morva later divorced and remarried. His second family, including Will, eventually settled in the USA in the small university town of Blacksburg, Virginia. Will is entitled to have his Hungarian nationality recognised and this application is currently underway.

Will is subjected to conditions of extreme isolation and solitary confinement on Virginia's death row. He is restricted to a single, concrete cell with a solid steel door for almost 24 hours a day. He eats all meals alone in his cell. He may leave his cell only to shower and to spend occasional one-hour periods outside in a single, solitary cage no bigger than his cell. He is fed a poor diet and receives substandard medical care for his chronic health problems. His health is further endangered by the prison's noncompliance with Center for Disease Control Guidelines.

Will is a bright and engaged young man. He is very interested in his Hungarian heritage and in the information that has come to light since Reprieve became involved in his case.