The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-08
DEMAND DEATH
OF REV. R|CHESON
District Attorney Will Not
Accept Plea Carrying
Less Than Death

Boston, Jan. s.-Speculation was
rife today as to what ultimately will
De the fate of Rev. Clarence V. T,
Rlcheson, who Saturday in a written
statement confessed the murder Of his
former sweetheart. Avis Linnell.
FROM source close to Governor Foss.
the statement came today that the at
titude OF the executive probably would
be In favor of a Communication of SEN
tence of death in the electric chair to
one of life Imprisonment if the laws
fullest penalty is imposed by the
court.
NO leniency for Richeson on the
part of the district attorney is expect
ed and no less plea than that of MUIR
der in the first degree will meet with
his approval. according to a state
ment which he reiterated today, SO
that the only hand that seems able to
stay Rtcheson's march to the electric
chair is that of Governor Foss. acting
under the advice of the council.
Richeson is expected to appear in
court late today and ask to be per-
mitted to change his former plea and
be ad. judged guilty of murder.
Richeson passed quiet Sunday.
Even his counsel did not visit him. At
the Emmanuel Baptist church in Cam
bridge. over which he was presidin:
as pastor when arrested. his confess
sion received no mention in any of
the services. MIR. Richeson's resigna
ton as pastor. accepted several weeks
the thought of innocence"
RicheSon'S formal confession was
bare of details. 1t Is understood, how
ever. that he enlarged on it to his
counsel and that the district attorney
is now in possession of most OF the
information which has come to the
defense. While no person can be
quoted as responsible for it, the state
ment is made on high authority that
Richeson's amplified confession to his
counsel was on the following lines:
After purchasing quantity of
cyanide Of potassium from William
Hahn. a Newton Center druggist, gu
October 10, the minister took the poi
son to his rooms in Cambridge. A
few days later he borrowed from Mrs.
Frank II. Carter. in whose home he
was a lodger. an earthepware mixing
bowl Ito make some book paste"
Returning the bowl to Mrs. Carter
an hour or two later. he warned her
iy. saying: % haxs sa BEEN oor tsins taGuoush pai-
son in It," 1t was in this bowl, and
ct this time. 1t Is said. that the minis
ter by mixing the cyanide Of potas-
sium with flour and water. made the
capsule which ultimately caused Miss
Linnell's death. This was Thursday,
October IL.
On Saturday. October II. Richeson
met by appointment his one time
f,ancee. who still believed herself his
intended wife. Following their Gus
tom. the couple had short walk, and
then went into q Boylston street cafe.
Here thew had hlncheon AFTER wh,oh
they took another walk. this time to
the Fenway. It was while seated on a
secluded bench In the park. after the
girl had again told him Of her worry
over her physical condition. saying
she feared 1t was becoming apparent
to her friends. and had once more en-
treated him to procure some remedy
for her. that the minister is said to
have handed the girl the capsule, de-
claring 1t was a medicine which
would certainly act in the manner de.
sired. He directed her as to the man
ner Of taking It and then the pair
walked to the car limo. Miss Linnell