The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-10
Murderer Sta n Dis the
Ordeal Without a
Tremor.
SHOWS OLD-TIME
j AU N TIN ESS
Counsel Declares Governor Will
Be Asked to Commute SEN
tence, but Refuses to State
the Grounds to Be Set
Out in the Pc
tition.

Boston. January o.-with the ap-
pearance OF man who had abandoned
all hope OF life. the Rev. Clarence V.
justice. declared his guilt OF the ire
meditatcd murder OF his former sweet
heart. Avis Linnell. and without
tremor heard Judge Sarderson SEN
tancc him to death In the clec.cic char
during the week beginning Nay -
While displaying remarkable stoi
cism, the young Virginian appeared to
room as II he were conducting his own
funeral. Yet as he walked out OF the
court room there was a trace CT the
old-time jauntiness that seemed 10
many 10 indicate that his tight was not
yet finished.
To the half dozen questions which
Judge Sandarson put to Richcson as TO
whether he realized the full nature and
effect Of his acknowledgment of guilt,
he answered without the slightest
emotion, always in the affirmative.
Richsson's counsel declared after the
proceedings that an appeal for execu-
tive clemency would follow soon. and
that every effort would be made TO
obtain life Imprisonment instead OF
death as the punishment
Upon what ground the petition will
be based has not yc, been decided.
Some wcll-Nnown attorneys remarked
tonight that Judge SandersoD's &C
ton in accepting the plea and ordering
Il spread upon thu records OF the court
Court. on the ground that a jury alone
could accept such plea
PIen of Guilty.
AS Richeson was called TO the bar
Clerk Manning said:
Clarence V. T. Richcsou, this IN
d!ctment charges you with murder In
the frst degree. On November IS you
pleaded not guilty to It Do you de-
sire TO retract that plea?"
Yes. sir" replied Richeson.
What say you to the Indictment"
asked the clerk.
Guilty was the reply. without a
change IN tone.
The only penalty provided by law"
said Judge sanderson, for murder in
pleaded guilty to murder In the first
dcgrea after due consideration and
with the full knowledge and under
standing OF the nature and effect of
such plea?''
Yes. siT."
rs the plea made BY you free and
voluntary" continued the judge.
Yes. SIR"
did you consult counsel with refer
ence to the nature OF the ofrense and
the plea?" asked the judge.
Again came simply, Yes, sir"
After the district attorney had read
Richeson's confession. which was made
a part of the record. Judge Sandcrson
asked:
Clarence V. T. RIchcson. have you
anything to say why sentence of death
should not be passed upon you?"
The young man apparently swal-
lowed hard lump in his throat, but
without even a shadow across his face
he replied:
no. sir; nothing further than I have
stated"
Rising IN his seat Judge Sanders on
pronounced the death renalty. ending
with the impressive words: and may
Col In HIS infinite goodness have
mercy upon your SOUL
VIII Petition Governor.
Richeson's appearance in court to-
day differed but little from that at the
tim. OF his arraIenment, hut .1is face
was pale and there were noticeable
lines on either side OF his face FIIs
words were evenly modulated although
at times so low that Judge Sanderson
had to request him to repeat what he
had said. Throughout the proceedings
CONTINUED on Sixth Page.)