THRUPP woman Angela Stevens is campaigning for the release of her mother - Dominique Keys - who is serving a 25-year sentence in an Arizona jail for murder.

Fearing for her life, American-born Dominique Keys fled Stroud, where she was living, for Arizona in 1998 and was sentenced a year later for the murder of her husband, Russell.

Mrs Keys, who has always protested her innocence, still has 18 years to serve.

In an attempt to raise funds to pay for an appeal, Angela and husband Kevin Stevens have teamed up with musician Rik Carter, formerly of iconic 80s goth band The Mission, to produce an album - The Ballad of Dominique Keys.

"We hope the CD will raise awareness and some funds," said Mrs Stevens, 39.

"The goal is to be able to afford an attorney and make an appeal," she added.

Mrs Stevens visited her mother in November and fears her health is deteriorating.

"It was priceless to be able to give her a hug but heartbreaking to leave her and to see the state her health was in.

"Eventually I would like to get her out and get her here with me."

Dominique and her eighth husband Russell met through a lonely-hearts column in Loot magazine in 1998 and married on Valentine's Day that year.

But soon after her husband began claiming he had murdered five people in Blackpool and killed nine people in a road accident.

Police discovered these claims were unfounded and blamed them on mental illness.

Fearing her husband might be dangerous, however, Mrs Keys fled to the States but was followed by her husband.

At the trial Mrs Keys claimed she shot her husband in self-defence after he threatened to strangle her.

"I know my mum and I know it was self-defence," said Mrs Stevens, a factory worker. "I know she is innocent,"

*The Ballad of Dominique Keys will go on sale later this month and will be available at Stroud's Trading Post and Kane's record store.