The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-13
EXHAUSTIVE TESTS
 GIVEN R|CHESON
Confessed Murder Examill-
 ed By Insanity Experts
FATE IN THE BALANCE
Expected Report Will Be Ready for Governor By Wednesday-Physi- clans Decline to Discuss Results.
 Prisoner Is Hopeful


 Boston. May 12.-The board of insanity experts selected by Governor Ross to ex- anime into the mental condition of Clar- ence V. T. Richeson, the former Baptist clergyman under sentence of death for the murder of Avis Linnell, subjected Riche- son today to the most exhaustive tests known.
 From the time Rieheson confessed to the murder of the little conservatory music pupil, former sweetheart, who stood in the way of his marriage to the wealthy Miss Violet Edmands of Brook line. his counsel have been working to se- cure a. finding that the prisoner was men tally irresponsible for his act They were gratifed when on Friday last Governor Foss, avowedly averse to the death pen alty, named three prominent alienists to make report for his guidance in the mat ter of submitting Riehesons petition to the council for clemency.
 The commissioners. Dr. Henry Rust stedman of Brookline. chairman of the board of trustees of the Taunton Insane hospital; Dr. George T. Tuttle, superin- tendent of the Mclean Insane hospital, and Henry P. Frost, superintendent of the State Insane hospital, spent two hours with Richeson on Saturday morning.
 Physicians Silent
 The examination today was In the big music room of the sheriffs house. Riche- son showed no trace of nervousness as he walked from his cell and at the com pletion of the long days ordeal apparently was in excellent condition. The phys icians avoided discussing with anyone the results of their examination, which continued uninterruptedly from 9S0 a. m. until 12:3o p. m., when Richeson signified a desire for his dinner. Back in his cell he partook heartily of the special food which is daily sent in to him from a restaurant outside.
 About O clock he was taken again to the sheriff's house. The second session lasted until 5:30 o'clock. At it's conclu- sion Richeson bade the visitors good aft ernoon and was returned to his cell his carriage as he marched across the jail yard being apparently one of hopeful ness. if not confidence. He ate hearty supper and tonight was reading in his cell, being allowed the Sunday papers from which had been clipped all refer ence to his own case.
 It is believed that the alienisfs com pleted their examination today, all though they would not state conclu- sively. It Is expected their report will be ready for the governor some time before the meeting of the executive council Wednesday.
 Fate in the Balance
 At that time the governor can ask his council to commute Richeson's sem tence to life Imprisonment if the alien ists report the prisoner was Insane when he committed the crime. If they report he was sane then, but that he is insane at present. the governor can only ask the council to grant re- prieve until such time as the prisoner Is sane, at which, time he must be ex- eouted. In any event the governor has no voice in whatever action the coun- ell takes.
 If the council declines to take any action on Wednesday Richeson will be at once removed to the Charleston state prison, there to await in the death cell the execution of the sentence of the law against him, which Is that he be electrocuted during the week begio- ming May 19