Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-23

electrocuted at the Charlestown State
prison in the week beginning May 49,
negro murderer, Henry II. Butts has
been tho constant companion OF Richeson
since his act of standardization. The
negro has taken certain pride In serv-
ing Richcson who has become so attached
to the attentions of Butts that the negro
has been allowed to remain, although
his crime calls for Imprisonment at Char
lestown.
The counsel for the condemned man
bent their efforts during the past few
weeks to securing support for a petition
for a Communication of the death sentence
to life imprisonment. The ground alleged
is insanity due to abnormal traits. which
according to the lawyers would not con-
stltute legal insanity. but have a unique
character of their own warranting elem
ency.
PETITIONS THE GOVERNOR.
Richeson, on April 26, sent n petition
for Communication of sentence to Cover
nor Foss. It read:
II respectfully request that the SEN
tence of death pronounced against me by
the superior court for the county Of Suf-
folk be commutcd to imprisonment for
life, and / leave the presentation OF this
request and the reasons in support there
of with my counsel. Clarence V. r.
Richcson."
simultaneously with the presentation of
the potion. Counsel w. y. Morse and
Philip r. Dunbar of Boston and John l..
Lee. of Lynchburg. Va. filed numerous
depoe,tions relating to evidences of insan-
itY on the part of Tembers of the Richie
son family in Virginia and as to peculiar
acts and traits of the prisoner.
Upon receiving Richeson's petition for
Communication OF sentence and the deposi-
lions OF counsel, Governor Fos.s immedi-
atcly called upon DR.. l.. Vernon Briggs
as an insanity expert TO examine the
prisoner
Before Or Briggs reported. Governor
Foss had reports from two allonsts act
ing for the defense These wero Doctors
L. y. I.ane and l. u. Corat. both Of whom
declared that Richeson was insane.
After receiving Dr. Briggs's report the
Governor was stlll unsatislled ana on MAY
II he formally appointed an insanity com
mission for the commonwealth This
was made UP of DR.. Henry X. S'cdman.
chairman of the board OF trustees of the
Taunton insane hospital, DR.. George r.
futile. superintendent of the Mclean In
sane hospital, and Dr.. Henry p. Frost,
superintendent of the Boston State hos
pital.
MADE THREE EXAMINATIONS.
Tho commission examined Richeson
upon three occasions. and its report was
made public by the Governor on MAJ
lG. In effect. the commission declared
Richcson sane although suffering nj
times from emotional disturbances which
We're varously described as "hystcrica
insanity" and Thy sterical delrium."
Governor i'oss issued statement say
ing he found no reason for referrlnc
the case to his council which has the
sole right Of commutation of sentence
and announced that he would not re-.
ommcnd executive clemency. He cx.
planned that he had appointed the rom-
mission for the protection of the com
monwealth inasmuch as Richeson had
never been tried, having been sentenced
| on his own confession. and that he did
not wish the question OF Richcson'
sanity. either at the time of the com.
| mission of the crime or at the time OF
his execution to be questioned
The condemned man WIS removed from
the Charles street Jail to the dealt
chamber in the Charestown State prison
on May II, the day before the announce
mcnt of the Governors finding
At the prison Richeson asked for tn,
| services of the Rev. Herbert $. johnson
| pastor of the Warren Avenue Baptis
Church !,
same time expressing wish that tn.
prison chaplain. the Rev. Herbert "
Stebbins. continue to visit him In orde,
that one or the other of the minister.
might be with him constantly an ar
rangemont was made whereby the tw,
| clergymen relieved each other an,
ltcheson had their constant attendance
from the time of his entering the doatl
house until his execution
COLLAPSE OF THE PRISONER.
ON Friday night before tae execu
! ton. ana following soon after tn,
news given him of the Governors lie
cision, Iicheson collapsed. The merry
Gus strain proved too much to with
stand, His collapse resemblcd at
| tacks to which he had been subject a
| ''''' ans lor years IN PARTIAL,
conscious state he rolled about on hi
cot delirious, moaning and groaning
At times he raved against two mel
who were watching MIN ami follown.
| him, doubtless referring to the tw,
guards forming his death watch. TIL
| prison physician administers Sc la
| tiVes and the prisoner fell into sleel
| for 4 hours.
| From that time until his execution
| Richeson appeared resigned to hi
| fate. He cnattel freely with nj
spiritual advisers and counsel regard
| Ing the disposition of his affairs AM