New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-21

according to the lawyers, would not con-
stitute legal insanity, but had unique
character Of their own, warrantIng Glenn
ency.
Richeson on April &c sent a petition
for Communication of sentence TO Governor
Foss 1t read:
respectfully request that the sentence
of death pronounced against me py me
Superior Court for the County OF SUFFOLK
be committed to imprisonment Tor life, ana
leave the presentation OF this request ana
the reasons in support thereon with my
CLARENCE V. Z. RICHEsON.
simultaneously with the presentation OF
the petition William A. Morse and Philip
II. Dunbar, Of Boston, and John l.. Lee
OF Lynchburg, Va, the condemned man
counsel. filed numerous dispositions relating
10 evidences of insanity on the part Of
members of the Richeson family in Viz
ginia and as to peculiar acts and traits Of
the prisoner.
Perhaps the most pathetic figure involved
in the case was at Lynchburg, Va. Thomas
Y RIchcscn. the father. went TO town. ac-
companled by a son. to sell his tobacco.
He was told OF the report that he had de-
and. with tears streaming down his cheeks,
said:
Although my son is disgraced and de-
graded | will never fOrsake him"
Family Petitions Governor
Richeson's family also petitoned Gov
ernor Foss TO commute the sentence TO life
Imprisonment. Miss l.. V. Richeson, a
sister going to Boston TO make personal
appeal The question of Richesons sanity
being raised. and 1t being contrary to the
statutes Of Massachusetts to execute an in
sane person. Governor Foss appointed a
commission OF insanity experts TO deter
mine the mental responsibility OF the con-
demned man.
While this question was pending Richeson
showed that his nerve was falling He
la,cgged not to be taken TO the death house.
; . tried 10 hrbe a guard to get him vial
OF cyanide Of potassium. like that which he
had bought for Avis I.nnen. Finally, in a
complete lapse into poltroonery, he threat
ened that before he died he would air scan
dals affecting some of those who failed to
help him.
Before choosing the insanity commission
Governor Foss called on DR.. l.. Vernon
Briggs az an insanity expert 10 examine the
prisoner The reports of two alienists acting
for the defence were submitted to the Gov
ernor about this time. Doctors Edward b.
Lane and Or. Isidor II. Coriat both de-
clared Rcheson was insane.
The insanity commission for the COM
monweath was made up OF DR.. Henry X.
Stedman, chairman OF the board OF trus-
tees Of the Taunton Insane Hospital; DR..
George T. futile. superintendent Of the
Mclean Insane Hospital, and DR.. Henry
=. Frost. superintendent of the Boston
State Hospital
The commission examined Richeson on
three occasions. and its report was made
public by the Governor on May 10. In eff
feet the commission declared Richeson
sane, although suffering at times from
emotional disturbances which were de-
scribed as "hysterical insanity and 'hys-
terical delirium
Governor Foss issued "A statement saying
he found no reason for referring the case
to his council which has the sole right OF
Communication OF sentence, and announced
that he would not recommend executive
cIemency. He explained that he had APP
pointed the commission for the protection
of the commonwealth. inasmuch as Richie
son had never been tried. having been SEN
fenced on his own confession. and that he
did not wish the question of Richeson's
sanity, either at the time of the commits
sion of the crime or at the time of his exc
cuton, TO be questioned.
Removed to the Death Cell.
The condemned man was removed from
the Charles street Jail to the death HAM
her in the Charlestown state prison on
May IA. the day before the announcement
of the Governors tnding. Sheriff Quinn
in charge of the JAIL explained that he
wished the man to go to the death cell still
holding some hope Of clemency.
At the prison Richeson asked for the