Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1911-12-22
REV. C.V. T. RICnESON SERI'
OUSLYINJURiES HIMSELF
In THE CELL,

| Boston. Dec. 20.-Rev. Clarence V.
I. Richeson awaiting trial on January
Is, on an indictment charging him
with murder in the first degree by ad-
ministering cyanide of potassium to
Avis Linnell, of Hyannis, Mass, in
Boston on October Is, seriously in
iuried himself in his cell at the Char
les street Jail early this morning, with
a piece OF tin from marmalade can.
The self-inflicted injuries were such
that the accused preacher was nearly
dead from loss of blood when keeper
attracted by his groans. summoned
the physicians who decided that an
immediate operation was necessary to
save his life.
to attend the minister are of the opin-
ion that Richeson did not intend to
commit suicide. The opinion is also
shared by District Attorney Pelletier.
1t is believed that Richeson will re-
cover unless blood poisoning should
set in, and that he will be able to be
in court on January Is. when he is
called for trial for the alleged murder
of Miss Linnell.
DR.. Lothrop said:
u ies ID 66led for combinations
set in Richeson will be completely re-
covered in ten days or two weeks. l
do not think his condition is serious.
When l arrived at the Jail he Was
bleeding profusely and had already
lost a great deal of blood.
SIT is unlikely tibet blood poisoning
will set in, despite the fact that the in
juries were caused by piece of tin.
The facilities at the Jail were very
good, and we took the greatest pre-
caution to prevent blood poisoning
setting in"
/ Hon. VIM. A. Morse, OF Richeson's
counsel, however, believes that the
trial of necessity will be postponed
because of the prisoners condition,
! MT. MoTSc, WIZ WdS Cotiy oe eAAS J"AA'
said this afternoon:
81 have suspected for a long time
that Richeson was not alright mental
ly and l was especially careful in call
/ ing the attention of my associate,
John L. Lee, of Lynchburg, Va, to
this fact, at the same time requesting
him to get al. the data obtainable in
Richeson's old home, relative to the
family history.
Il did not care to make any state
mentswhich the public regards as
ueans of defense and in view OF the
thorough Investigation of his case we
did not feel it necessary to avail our
selvessH such defense. recogniz-
ed. the fact that it would have preju-
diced US in the eyes of the public to
make statement. But time and time
again, as have been alone with him
, in his cell there were strange mental
conditions that we're quite appar emf
to me, and after Mr.. Lee brought me
his family history from Virginia
became convinced in my life.
SIT has been stated that seven sout
of the ten members of the Rjchsson
families, which includes representa-
tives of both sexes, has shown signs
of insanity and some cases have been
so marked that it is a matter of pub
lie record that they are confined in In
sane asylums of the south"
Richeson's act will cause com.
plete change in the plans of the coun-
sci for the minister. From present
indications it looks as though the case
will be allowed to go on. and prob
ably after the jnry is empanelled and
the prosecution outlines its case, the
defense will call for an insanity com
mission to pass upon Richeson.
6, The doctors finished the operation
: that Richeson started. and he is now
a eunuch.