New-York tribune., 1912-01-10
R|CHES0N TO DIE IN CHAIR
Minister Calmly Hears Court In
fliCt Extreme Penalty.
ATTORNEYS HINT AT ERROR
Supreme Tribunal May Pass
Upon Acceptance of Plea of
Guilty-Appeal to Foss.

Boston, Jan. s.-With the appearance Of a
man who had abandoned all hope of life
the Rev. Clarence V. r. Richeson stood
to-day at the bar OF justice, declared his
guilt of the premeditated murder OF his
former sweetheart. Miss Avis Linnell. and
heard without a tremor the words Of Judge
Sanderson that condemned him to death I'm
the electric chair on the week beginning
May 49, 1912.
While displaying stoicism to a remarkable
degree. the young Virginian appeared to
those who crowded the little courtroom to
its utmost seating capacity as If he were
conducting his own funeral. Yet when that
black garbed figure, towering above the
two bailffs, walked out Of the courtroom
there was trace Of the oldtlme jaunt-
ness that seemed TO indicate that his fight
was not yet fought TO the finish.
A few hours after hearing his sentence
Richeson collapsed in his cell, apparently
in great pain. DR.. Sargent pronounced the
case one of acute indigestion, and applied
remedies which at once relieved the prison
q, who late tonight was resting comfort
ably.
1t was learned tonight from man high
ing Richeson that tho plea to Governor
Fcss and the Executive Council for a com
mutation of sentence will be based upon
what his attorneys believe TO be a lack OF
mental balance 1t is their contention that
the minister has consistently given indica-
tons that his mind IS weak.
Some we'll known attorneys remarked to-
night that Judge Sanderson's action in ac-
cepting the plea OF guilty and ordering II
spread upon the records OF the court might
have an echo in the Supreme Court, on the
ground that a jury alone could accept such
a plea.
Scarcely had Richeson entered the court
room to-day when the proceedings began.
Clerk Manning. holding the indictment.
said: clarence V. T. RiCheson. this indict-
ment charges you with murder I'm the first
degree On November 13 you pleaded not
guilty to t. Do YOU desire to retract that
plea?"
Eyes. SIR" replied Richeson.
What say you TO the Indictment asked
the clerk.
Guilty" was the reply. without change
IN tone.
The indictment was then handed 10 the
Judge, who defined deliberate, premeditat-
cd malice aforethought I'm committing mur-
der by poison.
After Judge Sanderson had ascertained
that neither the counsel for tho prisoner
nor the District Attorney had any objec-
ton to the plea, ne ordered Il entered upon
the records. Then. turning TO District At
torney Pelletler. Judge Sanderson asked ~
IL was desired that sentence be imposed.
The District Attorney answered afflrma-
lively. and after reading Richeson's con-
fession said: The commonwealth has been
always ready to proceed TO trial. and IT Is
my opinion that the evidence which the
commonwealth has accumulated would be
sufficient for an ordinary jury to find this
defendant guilty of murder in tho first de-
gree"
Judge Sanderson then looked toward the
tall form OF the young Virginian, and said 1:
Clarence V. T. Richeson, have you any
thing to say why sentence Of death should
not be passed upon you
The young man apparently swallowed