The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-21
INSANITY PLEA
 FOR RICHESON
 NOW INDICATED
Minister Who Mutilated Himself in Attempt at Suicide Said to be Resting Quietly Medical Examiner Says Prisoner Will be Strong Enough For Murder Trial Jan. IS
Especial from United Press.)

Boston, Dec. 21-Rev. Clarence V. T. Richeson, who yesterday terribly mutilated himself about the body with a piece of jagged tin from a jar top, while waiting trial for mur- der Of Avis Linnell his former sweet heart, passed a quiet night in the Charles street infirmary. Medical Examiner Leary visited him at o'clock. today, and said there is little doubt that he will be strong enough for his trial on Jan. 15.
 Every indication, today, pointed to 8 plea of insanity for Richeson. Att torneys Morse and Dunbar, who, with John l.. Lee, of Virginia, are coun- sel for the defense, refused, today, to say positively whether Richeson's act of self mutilation would change their tactics. Both admitted there might possibly be a change in the "line of defense.'
 Asked pointedly whether they would urge Richeson to plead insanity, the answer came:
 "I won't say no or yes to that QueS- tion''
 District Attorney Pelletier appar- ently has no doubt that such will be the case for, before S:30, he was at his office, in consultation. with two physicians who are thought to be allo01SIS GmpIOyeO weeks aSO Oy InS government to observe almost every act the ex-Baptist minister has made since he was lodged in Charles street jail
 The district attorney admitted he has conferred frequently and recent ly with sanity experts and it is known in the office of Chief Inspec- tor Dugan who is in charge of the police end of the case, that the gov ernment is prepared to meet an in- sanity defense with reams of testi- mony tending to show Richeson wae dered Avis Linnell and that he was sane up ito few days ago.
 Richeson's lawyers and detectives employed in his interest by Moses Grant Edmands, father of Miss Violet Edmands, whom he was to have mar ried October 31. were called together, . today. by Attorney Morse and three
 MT. Morse today. repeated that he has for. several weeks thought Riche- son not sane He has been quoted as saying he thought an insanity plea governments accumulation of alleged evidence.
 RichesOn's physical condition will be such that he. can go to court an Janu- ary 15 This was the announcement made shortly after noon, today, by Dr. dOWard LOtnrOp, WnO treated Richeson when the ex-Baptist minis ter mutilated himself. With Dr., La throp's announcement came the cor. rection of earlier reports to the effect that Richeson was still in the jail infirmary. Dr. Lathrop said:
 "Dr. RichesOn's wounds were so much better three hours after the op- eration was performed on him and he had come out of the effects of the anesthetic that he was immediately taken back to his cell, where he has been ever since. There is less than one chance in 5000 that Richeson will be too i'll to go into court, Jan. 15.''
 A close friend of the attorneys for the defense, said, this afternoon, that there are likely to be formal inquir- ies, as to the presence of such arti- cles as heavy glass marmalade jars with tin covers in the cell of the man indicted for what will be known for years as New Englands greatest mur- der mystery. It was pointed out by several attorneys, this afternoon, that the man evidently could not have been watched closely enough and that he might easily have committed sui- eide by several methods if he really had determined on ending his life.