The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
|R|CHESON TRIES
 ID KILL HIMSELF Very Serious Operation Is
 Performed TRIAL NEXT MONTH
There Will Be no Delay on Account of His Attempt-Discove By Jail Attendant Lying on Floor
 in His Own Blood

Boston. December 2O.-Cries and groans breaking the stiffness of the early morn ing hours at the county jail today led to the discovery that the Rev. Clarence V. 1 T. Richeson, awaiting trial on the charge of having murdered Miss Avis Linneil, had mutila.ed himself severely with a piece of tin. So serious the wound that it was found necessary to perform an operation immediately. Later in the day the surgeons said the operation was entirely successful, and that unless blood poisoning developed, the prisoner proba- bly would recover within two weeks. County authorities, jail officials and counsel for Rioheson all refused to com ment upon the possible mental processes which led to the accused man to the deter imitation to injure himself or what influ- ence his act might have upon future legal proceedings in his case.
 District Attorney Pelletier, who will have charge of Richeson's trial, set for January 15, asserted that the trial would begin on the day assigned. The district attorneys declaration that Richeson would be strong enough to appear in court on January 10 was corroborated by pr. Howard A. Lothrop, one of the sir geons who attended the prisoner. | Although Rcheson's counsel would give no intimation whether the defense would action beeause of Richeson's action, they did say definitely that the accused clergy man had wounded himself in an attempt at emasculahon.
 It was about 1 a. m. when a jail at tendant heard Richeson crying: "Doctor-Oh. Doctor Come quick,' He summoned the two other attendants and they found the prisoner lying on the floor, bleeding and suffering intense pain. I've cut myself: I'm bleeding to death," Richeson told them. The prison doctor, who was brought to the cell, declared that an immediate operation was neces- sary, and three surgeons were sent for. The operation occupied considerable time and at it's conclusion it was announced that it had been successful, and that the prisoner was expected to make a speedy recovery.
 It was through a short time prisoner. who was released today. that news of Richeson's act first became known to the public. Officials had made no announce ment in the matter until they were ques- tioned about reports brought out by this man.
 When Richeson came out from under the influence of the anesthetic he had nothing to say By order of the sur geons he was not questioned by anyone and will be kept quiet until he gains strength
 The crime charged against Richeson, who formerly was pastor of the I'm manuel Baptist church of Cambridge, is the murder of Avis Linnel on the night of October ?. Miss Linnel, who was 19 years old, was a native of Hyannis. where Richeson formely preached, and was studying at the New England Conservatory of Music in this city. Miss Linnell was found dying in a bath room in the Young Women's Christian association building where she lodged At first it was believed that the young woman had taken poison with suicidal intent, but day or two later it became known that she had taken eyaniade of potassium in the belief that it would remedy her condi- tion
 In this investiga tion of the death of Miss Linnel tine police found evidence, they claimed, which tended to duplicate Richeson, and he was arrested October 20 at the home of Miss Violet Edmands to whom he was to have been married on October Sl. His indictment followed.