Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-07

BOSTON. Mass, January 6.-Since the
publication today OF the confession Of
Rev. Clarence v. T. Richeson that he
murdered his former sweetheart. Avis
I.innell, public interest in the case has
ceutered on Richeson's probable fate.
Whether Richeson will pay the extreme
penalty, which under Massachusetts law
is death in the electric chair. no court
official cared to- predict today.
District Attorney Peliet.er declared to-
day after the confession had been made
public that the trial set for January 10
would surely be called and that he would
accept no compromise In the way Of a
plea TO u minor crime.
Two Ways to Save Richsson.
1t was pointed out that IL the district
attorney maintained this attitude only
al, insant " commission or Communication
by the executive council and the governor
could save Richeson from the electric
chair. II lies. however with the court
and the district attorney to accept
minor plea, such modification usually
coming through some weak link in the
governments case.
District Attorney Pelletier qualified his
hist statement later in the day by admit
brought into court before the day set for
the trial. but that such action would de-
rend upon the attitude of his counsel.
District Attorney Pelletier pointed out
ttat the confession is not a plea of guilty
Z" thu Indictment. although il is available
aa evidence in trial and to a jury 1t
would mean only conviction.
View Of Lawyers.
Is first degree verdict is the worst
cGtroine that the defense could expect.
astute lawyers remarked tonight that
counsel would rarely permit confession
10 go forth without hope OF something
less than the death penalty. and IT Is the
general opinion that some understanding
must have preceded the giving out of the
document.
sanity by reason OF which Richeson may
lie sent to an asylum. Still another course
ot procedure may be the calling of the
jury and the reading of the confession.
which would be followed by a formal YER
diet of guilty in the first degree. After
that an effort could be made to obtain q
Communication OF the death sentence
through executive action.
Prosecution Without Discretion.
District Attorney Pelletier. further re-
ferring to the case. said:
Il have no discretion In this matter
except TO accept . first degree plea OF
guilty. shall not accept q second de-
gree plea or a manslaughter plea. Under
the statutes" he said, murder by
poison can be only one thing and that is
murder in the first degree"
DO you consider Richeson insane?'
No: ne is no more insane than you
or T.
Then you do not consider the defense
viii take the confession as the rawlings
- an insane man and base its defense on
Insanity
Il do not think reputable counsel in
case of this Importance would give out
a statement that Richeson had confessed
he is guilty II they considered him in
sane.
Confession Wholly Voluntary.
Attorney John l.. Lee Of counsel for
Richeson, following the issuance OF the
confession today, said:
This confession was voluntary. 1t was
not the result of inducements or any
'Sbectaton of clemency. The man unbur-
dens himself as he did because II did him
good. He has thrown himself upon the
mercy of the court. He feels sorry for
what he has done. The confession was
writer by himself and In his own hand
lie wrote II on table in his cell with
fountain pen during tho visit OF my
self and Attorney William A. Morse.
The confession was inevitable. ] have
had more than 10 murder cases. but this
case was different from any of them
1t was a singular state OF affairs. think
this is the best solution
Mr.. Lee refused to say what further
steps might be taken to save the young
clergyman from the death penalty.
Long Wanted to Confess.
Today's developments In one Of the
most interesting murder cases in the his.
tory Of the state were not altogether
unexpected by some OF those in close
touch with the situation. From the be.
ginning the prosecuting authorities hav.
; CONTINUED on Twelfth PagN3 :.