Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-01-10
UNLESS SENTENCE Is COMMITTED
HE WILL PAY TIE PENALTY
MAY ~.
IS NOT Much Affected
When the Court Says, MAY God in
Ills Infinite Goodness Have Mercy
on Your Soul"

BOCION, MISS, Jan Js-- w l'lI N'lN
appearance of man who had aban-
loned all hope Of life, the Rev. Clar-
ence V. r. Richeson stood today at
the bar of Justice declared his guilt
Of the premeditated murder of his
fcrmer sweetheart, AVIS Linnell, ana
without tremor heard Judge Sar-
derson sentence him to death in the
electric chair during the week begin
ming May ~
While displaying remarkable stole
ism, the young Virginan appeared 70
those who crowded the little court
room as if he were conducting his own
funeral. Yet as he walked out of the
court room there was trace OF the
oldtime iauntiness that seeded to in-dl-
cate to many that his fight was not
yet past.
The half dozen questions that Judge
Sanderson put to Richeson as to
whether he realized the full nature
and effect of his Acknowledgement or
guilt he answered without the slight
est emotion, always in the affirmative.
Appeal for Clcmcncy.
Richeson's counsels declared after
the proceedings that an appeal Tor
executive clemency would follow soon
and that effort would be made to op-
tain life Imprisonment as the punish
mert.
Upon what grounds the petition Will
he based has not been decided. some
we'll known attorneys remarked to-
night that Judge Sanderson's action
in accepting the plea and ordering 1t
spread upon the records Of the coun
might have an echo in the supreme
court, on the ground that jury alone
could accept such plea.
Always Answered, "Yes, Sir
AS Richeson was called to the bar,
Clerk Manning said Clarence V. L.
Richeson, this indictment charges you
with murder in the first degree. ON
November 13, you pleaded not guilty
to il. Dou you desire to retract that
plea"
YES, SIR" replied Richeson.
What say you to the indlctment?'
asked tho clerk.
Guilty" was the reply without a
change in tone.
The only penalty provided by law
said Judge Sanderson, FOR murder in
the first degree is DEATH Have you
pleaded guilty to murder in the first
degree after due consideration ana
with the full knowledge and under
standing of the nature and effect of
such plea
Yes, sir"
rs the plea made by you free and
vluntarily?" continued the judge.
yes, sir"
did you consult counsel with ref.
erence to the nature of the offense ~
said the judge
Again came the simple yes, SIR
Was Slightly Affected.
After the district attorney had read
Rlcheson's confessions which were
made a part of the records, Judge SAN
derson asking: Clarence V. I. Rich
eson, have you anything to say why
sentence of death should not be passed
upon you?"
The man apparently swallowed a
hard lump in his throat, but without
even shadow across his face he re-
piled: mo. sir; nothing further than
| have stated"
Rising in his seat Judge SandeNon
pronounced the death penalty, ending
with the impressive words: And may
God in His infinite goodness have
mercy on your soul
Richeson's appearance in court to-
day differed but little from that OF the
time during his arraignment. but his
face was pale and there were lines on
each side OF his face. His words were
evenly ? modulated although loud.
Throughout the proceedings his hands
griycsf the rail before him.