The Washington herald., 1912-01-07

called to the charge in Cambridge, un-
Ill he met and woOed Miss Edmands
and won her consent to become his wife.
Confessed to Richeson.
| The prospective marriage with the
| heiress to a large fortune had only one
obstacle In the way-Ayis Linnell. AL
ready the young girl had confessed to
Rieheson that she would become a
mother. He determined TO get rid OF
the young girl who stood in the way
OF his marriage by the crime OF double
murder. He bought quantity of cyan
ide Of potassium, confident Of his In
| huence over Miss LinneIl, and gave It
to her. She trusted him, took the poi
son, and died.
He had planned It so that he would
appear to have spent the entire day in
the home Of Mr.. Edmands, and 1t was
at this home that he was told over the
telephone on Sunday night that Miss
Linnell was dead, and had asked in re-
ply why he should be informed.
The lawyers could no longer combat the
determination OF Richeson to confess. He
had determined 1t was the only way to
save his life. He was confident that II he
went TO trial on a plea OF not guilty he
would be convicted and his life would
might win him the privilege OF living in
prison, and he was anxious to gamble
with fate
Richeson then wrote out in firm hand
his confession. He was asked to make a
copy OF IT, This he did. The lawyers
then took the documents. There was a
silence. The lawyers could find no word
to say to this man. He spoke.
Thank God!" he said fervently. II
have eased my conscience OF that load.
Now / am ready to atone for my sins"
After the publication OF the confession.
District Attorney Pelletier announced he
would not accept any modified plea.
Under the statutes" he said. murder
by poison can be only one thing, and
that is murder in the first degree"
do you consider Richeson insane?"
No: he Is no more insane than you
or t.
Then you do not consider the de-
fense will take the confession as the
rawlings Of an insane man and base its
defense on insanity?"
Il do not think reputable counsel in a
case OF this importance would give out
a statement that Richeson had confessed
he is guilty II they considered him in
sane"
Statement by Attorney.
Attorney John L Lee, of counsel to
Richeson, following the issuance Of the
confession to-day, said:
This confession was voluntary II was
not the result of Inducements or any
intimation OF clemency. The man unbur-
dens himself as he did because II did
him good. He has thrown himself upon
the mercy Of the court He feels sorry
Cor what ne has done. The confession
was written by himself and in his own
hand. He wrote Il on table in his cell
with a fountain pen during the visit Of
myself and Attorney William A. Morse.
THE confession was inevitable have
had more than l50 murder cases, but
this case was different from any Of them.
1t was singular state OF affairs. think
this is the best solution
Mr Lee refused TO say what further
steps might be taken to save the young
clergyman from the death penalty.
No crime in decade has attracted
more general attention than that Of Rev.
Mr.. Richeson, who gave to the beautiful
young choir singer cyanide OF potassium.
with which she ended her life. going to
her death firm IN the belief that what
he had given her was a remedy that
would keep her secret from the world.
The news OF the confession flashed over
Boston with electric swiftness, and came
as a thrilling climax In this wonderful
murder mystery Among the members
OF Emmanuel Baptist Church. OF Cam