The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-27
INDICTMENT SURE
BUT CASE IS WEAK
Fiancee of Accused Clergy
man IS to Appear Be-
fore Grand Jury
WILL PRODUCE BODY
OF DOG HE KILLED
Also Killed a Cat With Cy-
anide and Claims to
Yet Have the Origi-
nal Package

BOSTON, Oct. 2s.-~Rev. Clarence
y. T. Richeson two days before the
death of Avis Linneii secured a ssn all
quantity OF flour and water from Mrs.
+. ii. Carter, with whom he boarC d
in Cambridge. explaining that he
wanted IL to make paste To repair
the bindings OF some of his books.
In returning the bowl in which he
had mixed the paste he told Mrs, Tar
ter to wash 1t out thoroughly, as
there had been poison in IT.
Mrs. Carter made this important
, disclosure 10 the International News
correspondent to-day. and II Is GER
tain that she repeated the informa-
ton In her testimony before the spe-
ciai grand jury.
Mrs. Grant Edmands. the mother
OF Miss Violet Ednands, to whom
Rev. Richeson was engaged 10 oe
married when arrested and accused
OF having poisoned Avis Linneil. was
the last witness OF the day. Both
she and her millionaire husband are
said 10 have testified that RicheSoD
had told them all about his acquaint-
ance with the little iyannis girl
From statements made to friends
outside OF the grand jury room il was
learned. however. that neither Mrs.
Edmands or her husband could ac-
count for all of Rieheson's time on
Saturday, October IA. when 1t Is be-
lieved he gave the girl the cyanide
OF potassium, telling her It was medi-
cine.
Miss EdnAands Witness.
- Dramatic interest In the grand iiify J.
proceedings, which will probably last
two additional days, centers about
Miss Violet Edmands. who will APP
pear as a witness tomorrow.
Mrs Linnell was permitted to give
her testimony at the morning session.
in order that she might return 10
her home in Hyannis by an after
noon train. Although heavily yelled
as she departed, Mrs Linnelfs fac
was a pathetic picture of sorrow ana
distress. Her only statement was:
a4gcanaa hare at the request OF the
prosecutor and have told all That
know OF my little girls friendship
for Mr.. Richeson, That Is all care
TO say"
Case Of the State.
II is practically certain tEat New
Richeson will be indicted. but tho TACT
remains that the States case Is oaseo
SOLELY on the following points
That Avis Linnell and Richeson
had been sweethearts while he was
pastor of the Hyannis Baptist church,
ment was supposed to have been re-
newed last July, when the young rler-
and that the friendship and engage
xyrnan visited Hyannss during ms
vacation.
That Avis Linnell died SATURDAY.
October II, from cyanide poison sup
posed to have been self-administered.
That Rev. Richeson purchased eva
hide OF potassium from Druggist
Hahn in Newton four days before the
girl died.
That an autopsy revealed one mo-
tive for the crime.
That Richeson's engagement to
marry Miss Violet Edmands, the
daughter Of a wealthy Cambridge
man, October 81. forms second
possible motive.
The case In admittedly weak. as
there IL absolutely no direct evidence
that Richeson communicated with tho
girl between the time he bought the
poison and the hour or her death ex-
cept the phone call from the home
Of Frank Danskfn to the Y. w. G. A..
October. IL.
Richcson's Defense.
These are the lines along which
the attorneys Will fight for the life
and liberty Of the clergyman:
First. An alibi--that IL. thai Richie
son did not sae Avis IAnneli from the
day he bought the cyanide Of notas-
lsium until the day u her death.
Second. Richsson did buy the poi
49, 1(sonffnunA ~ Gnr,snS pnaa 1s-s.-1E7