The Washington times., 1912-05-12
.LUNACY BOARD TO
!. EXAMINE RICHESON
FOR SECOND TIME
Eventful Week for Murderer
of Avis Linnell Starts
Today.

BOSTON, May 12-The week which
begins today will be fateful for Clar-
lence v. T. Richeson. Some time during
the next few days, probably on wednes-
day, his future will be determined by
the eight members of the executive
council, who will decide whether there
Is any merit in his petition for the COM
mutation of the death sentence imposed
upon him for the murder of Avis Lin
nell, in case the alienists find the pris-
oner Is or has been insane.
Yesterday lunacy commission of
Governor Foss' selection-Dr. Henry
,Stedman, of Brookline, chairman of the
board of trustees of the Taunton Insane
Hospital; DR.. George T. Tuttle, super
;tntendent of the Mclean Insane Hos
.pital, and Or. Henry P. Frost, superin-
Itendent Of the Boston state Hospital,
subjected Richeson to a rigid examina-
ton that consumed nearly two hours.
Today 1t became evident that the trio
Of experts were not entirely satisfied as
Ito the mental condition of their subject
for this afternoon they will further eX-
anime him. and tits not altogether i'm
probable that still. further investigat ton
into the prisoners mental status will be
continued tomorrow.
The strongest point indicative of pos
sible insanity was the discovery by the
alienists that many parts of Richeson' S
body are insensibletto the prick of a
gold pin.
Examination Searching.
= The examination was most searching,
and through it all Richeson appeared
eager to answer any and all questions.
He heard the name of the murdered girl
spoken without tremor and he heard
without the slightest display of emotion
allusions made to Miss Violet Edmands.
He knew the experts were studying his
every movement and utterance, but he
appeared cool and calm. Only occasion
ally did ne change his position, and
then but to swing one leg over the
lother. For the most partthe leaned well
back in his chair and searched the faces
Of his examiners
/ DR.. o. G. Cilley. the. Jail physician,
who has had more opportunity than
anyone else to observe the condemned
man, said this morning. Il am willing
ito swear before any court that Richie
slider myself capable of holding my posi-
ton If were not able to judge whether
a man is sane or insane
Sheriff Quinn this morning stated that
=
his present quarters in the Charles
street Jail until tomorrow at the earliest
and he said 1t was possible that he
might remain in his present cell until
after the meeting of the executive coun.
oil on Wednesday.
May Still Be Executed.
According to well-known authorities
even though the ex-minister escapes the
death chair temporarily on the grount
OF insanity at the present time. he ma!
still be executed for the crime II at an.
time he RECEIVERS his sanity. it beint
understood that he was not insane a
the time the crime was committed. Hi:
one hope of escape from the penalty o.
his deed is based upon the following ex
cerpt from Chapter 221. revised laws o
Massachusetts,:
"If 1t appears to the satisfaction o
the governor and council that convic
under sentence Of death has become in
sane the governor, with theI advice and
consent Of the council, may. from tins
to time, for stated periods, respite thu
execution Of said sentence until 1t ap
pears to their satisfaction THAT the con
Sict is no longer insane.