The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-05-13
TRYING TO PROVE
R|CHESON CRAZY
Commission is Searching for
Germs to Save Him from
Death Penalty.

sanity experts selected by Governor
Foss to examine into the mental con-
dition of Clarence v. T. Richeson, the
former Baptist clergyman who is un-
der sentence of death for the murder
of Avis Linnell, subjected Richeson to-
day to the most exhaustive tests
known. Their examination occupied
almost the entire day.
1t doubtless was the most critical
period for the prisoner since he re-
ceived his death sentence early in
January. From the time Richeson
confessed to the murder of the little
conservatory Of music pupil. a former
sweetheart, who stood in the way Of
his marriage to the wealthy Miss Vio-
let Edmands of Brookline. his coun-
sci have been working to secure a
finding that the prisoner was mentally
irresponsible for his. act. They were
gratified when on Friday last Cover
nor Foss, who is avowedly averse to
the death penalty, named three prom
inent alienists to make a report for
mitting Richeson's petition to the
council for clemency. The commits
sion as made up includes DR.. Henry
Rust Stedman of Brookline, chair
man of the board of trustees of the
Taunton insane hospital; DIR. George
T. Tuttle, superintendent Of the Nc
Lean insane hospital, and Henry P.
Frost, superintendent Of the state in
sane asylum. They spent two hours
with Richeson at the Charles street
Jail on Saturday morning at which
time a preliminary examination was
made.
The examination today was in the
big muscle room Of the sheriff's house
in the Jail yard. Richeson showed no
trace Of nervousness as he walked
from his cell to the sheriff's house
and at the completion of the long
days ordeal apparently was in excel
lent condition. The physicians left
the jail in carriages and avoided dis
cussion with any one the results of
their examination. The work of ex-
from $3.50 a. m. until 1880 p. M.
when Richeson signifed a desire for
his dinner and was taken back to his
cell, where he partook heartily of the
special food which Is daily sent in to
him from a restaurant outside. Rich
eson apparently was bearing himself
well and showed no fatigue. At 2
o'clock he was taken again to the
sheriff's house and the alienists again
took up their work: The second ses-
sion lasted until $3.50 o'clock. At it's
conclusion. Richeson bade the visitors
good afternoon and was returned to
his cell, his carriage as he marched
across the jail yard being apparently
one of hopefulness, IL not of even
confidence. He ate hearty supper
and tonight was reading in his cell.
being allowed the Sunday papers,
from which had been clipped all ref
erence to his own case.
It is believed that the alienists COM
pleted their examination today. al
though they would not state conclu-
sively to the sheriff that they might
not want to return. It is expected
their report will be ready for the gov-
ernor some time before the meeting
OF the executive council Wednesday.
At that time the governor can ask
his council to commute the sentence
Of Richeson to life imprisonment II
the alienists report that the prisoner
was insane at the time he committed
the crime. If they report that he
was sane then. but that he is insane
at present. the governor can only ask
that the council grant a reprieve un-
til such time as the prisoner is sane,
at which time he must be executed.
In any event the governor has no voice
In whatever action the council takes.
II the council declines to take any
action on Wednesday. Richeson will
be at once removed to the Charlestown
state prison. there to await in the
death cell the execution of the sent.
ence Of the law against him which Is
that he be electrocuted- during the
week beginning May ~.