Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-30
! NO COMPROMISE
Will Be Accepted in Rev.
Mr.. Richeson's Case.
Guilty Of Murder in First De.
gree The Only Agreement.
Minister'S Counsel Still Asserts Nc
Is too III to Be Tried.

Boston, Dec. 29.-Reports that an
agreement had been reached between
District Attorney Pelletier and eoun-
sci for the defence by which Rev. Mr.
Richeson is to plead guilty to second
degree murder We're emphatically de-
MED by the district attorney in d
statement issued, tonight. There is
only one agreement possible" Mir
Pelletier says, land that is a plea of
guilty to The charge of murder in the
first degree
The district attorney again declares
that the accused minister is in good
physical and mental condition and will
be able to stand trial on Jan. Is, the
date set. II may be of interest to
know" the statement adds. that for
breakfast, today, Rev Mr.. Richeson
had two eggs and pint of milk, and
for dinner a quahaug stew. He sat up
in bed and seemed to be in the best
of spirits and condition.
Lawyers for the defence issued
statements to the effect that while
their client might be surgieally well
on the date of the trial, his mental
condition in their opinion, would pre-
vent its being held at that time.
In addition Attorney William A.
Morse. for Richeson, said that tine re-
ported action of the government law
yers in investigating the jury venire
in order to ascertain If any of those
drawn for the trial had religious pref
udiees might be reason for asking
for "A discharge of the entire panel.
Mr.. Morse made his daily visit to
the Jail. today, and endeavored, ac-
cordine to his statement, 10 talk free
" with his client regarding the COM
ing trial. but found that il was almost
impossible 10 carry on any extended
conversation.
In the meantime District Attorney
Pelletler and his first assistant, Thorn
IS u. Lavelle went To Breekton to
interview Mrs. Linnell, the mother OF
the murdered girl who is passing "a
few days with her married daughter
in that city.
Eugene Levitan, who until recently
conducted a drug store in Cambridge.
was at the office Of Dist Atty. Pelletier,
today Sometime after the arrest of the
Rev. Mr.. Richeson the druggist stated
in an interview that he had sold some
cyanide of potassium TO girl who ne
thought resembled Miss Avis Linnell
1t was learned, today, that officers Wis
tied the store and secured the prescrip-
ton books. They found the name of n
girl under the date mentioned by Levi
tan. 1t is said that the day the girl IS
supposed to have made the purchase was
Oct. 49, the day before the pastors for
mer sweetheart died.
"
Brockton, Mass, Dec. 29.-The scene of
activities so far as the government Is
concerned in preparation for the trial
scheduled for Jan. Is, of the Rev. Clsr-
ence V r. Richesou. charged with the
murder of Avis Linnell was shifted from
Boston to this city. today, when Dis
trict Attorney Joseph C.~Pelletier, ac-
cornpanied by Assistant District Attor-
ney Thomas L. Layelle, came here and
conferred with the mother of the music
student.
The officials arrived in BrocktoD, early
this afternoon, and went Immediately to
the home of Mrs. William j. Mclean, "a
sister of Miss Linnell, where Mrs Lizzie
Linnell has been spending the Christmas
holidays. The conference was short, the
Boston man leaving the Mclean home
within an hour of the time of their ar
rival.
No statement was forthcoming as 20
the nature of the conference. 1t is SUD-
posed, however, that arrangements wece
made regarding the appearance of Mrs
Linnell and her married daughter at the
coming trial.