Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-15
Richeson Gives One Upward Glance as He Is About to
 Enter Death House at State Prison.
WALKED WITH BOWED HEAD UP TO THAT TIME
Transferred From The Jail Late Yesterday Afternoon ports of Aliensts May Be Filed Today-Dr Briggs Finds Him Puzzing Proposition n-"A Degenerate in Many Ways, But Probably Responsible Under The Law"

Boston, May lA-ClaTeACe VI IL Richeson, slayer of Avis Linnell, slept tonight within a dozen paceS of the death house at the Charlestown State Prison. Late this afternoon he was called from his cell in the Charles Street jail, handcuffed to m officer and hurried away in the jail van to the prison. Some time leyt week, probably on either Monday or Tues day morning, shortly after midnight, he will die in the electric chair ie the orders of the court are carried out,
 Did Not Break Down.
 Contrary to expectations, Richesen did not collapse or break down when he learned the time had come to go to the death cell AS he has sub mitted for days to an exhaustive and trying examination by expert alienists, some officials had predicted that he would not have the physical or mental strength to face the final step in his career calmly.
 How The News Was Broken.
 Shortly after three o'clock this afternoon Deputy Sherif Kelley ap-] preached Richeson's cell in the Jail and called out to him:
 Doctor, come out and take little walk
 Receiving the greeting as he had several times before as an invitation to exercise in the yard, the prisoner stepped forth eagerly and followed the officer. But when Deputy Kelley grasped his arm and attempted to snap on handcuffs, Richeson Jumped backwards as if he had been struck and his cheeks grew gray.
 Crowd Outside The Jail.
 The deputy did not hesitate but again seized the arm of the prisoner, who by this time made no resistance and quickly his wrist was handcuffed to that of an officer. After the party had entered the jail van, policemen had to clear a way through the 200 or more curious spectators beyond the walls when the gate was opened, but there was no sound or disturbance as the van rolled through and down Charles Street.
 Farewell Glimpse of The Sky.
 Eight minutes later the van had entered the yard of the state prison at Charlestown, after passing through similar crowd. As Richeson stepped out and started across the roadway to the iron door of the death house. his head was held low and he glanced neither to the right nor the left, until almost in the shadow of the doorway Then he gave one look upward at the blue sky which he was probably to gee for the last time, and entered the windowless building.
 Given Striped Suit.
 Richeson was dressed in a blue suit with black derby hat while an officer carried his top coat which he did not heed. The first act at the prison was to clothe the prisoner in the regulation prison made suit all ways given occupants of the death chamber. He was given a black and white striped outing shirt, a pair of prison socks, a blue-black coat and a pair of trousers and shoes, of all prison make.
 Visited By Prison Chaplain.
 Richeson entered the cell at 3.30 o'clock. After he had been clothed he was visited by Warden Briggs, who in formed him as to what privileges he might expect among them being the right to order whatever he cared to eat.
 Immediately after the warden left, Rev Herbert W. Stebbins, the prison chaplain, 8 Congregational minister, and Attorney William A. Morse, coun- sel for the prisoner, were admitted te the chamber. They remained less than half an hour, MT. Morse on leaving said he still had hopes that the gov ernor and council would extend elem ency, and that Richeson himself was not without hope.
 Declined Strawberries For Supper.
 The prisoner asked for toast and eggs for his supper, which he ate soon after reaching the priseF. He was told there were also strawberries hA rod for Ir,N !, ,l A cup of tea followed the toast.
 Sheriff Quinn, who has had charge of Richeson at the Charles Street jail said tonight:
 Sheriff Quinn Much Relieved
 q am the most relieved man in the world now that this thing is over so far as l am concerned. If we had been compelled to keep this man in the jail for another "A hours I don't believe we could have delivered him at the prison in the condition we did today. He surely would have broken down if he had found himself being moved after the meeting of the governors council for he would have known then that all hope for him wHs over"
 The reports of the three experts had not been filed late tonight but Nqs,e expected early tomorrow morning.
 Council Acts Independently.
 If Gov. Foss is satisfied from reportl from alienists, state officials and others that there is & reasonable doubt regarding Richeson's responsi- bility he has the power to refer q petition for a communication of sen. tence to the council with or without suggestions. The council is not bound by anything which the governor max say. but acts Independently and tht governor has no power to order stay a reprieve or 8 communication without the consent of majority of tht council
 Should the governor throw the re. sponsibility of settling the Richesor <, case onto the shoulders of the counoi the matter will go to the pardon com. mittee of the council at once ;slthou debate. The pardon committee con. sists of Lieut.. Gov Luce, and Councn. lors Goetting, Fletcher, Keith ana Collins.
 Pardon Committee Influential
 It then rests with the pardon com. mittee to hear testimony and conslds what evidence the governor may have before making up its mind. In neari, all important caBes during the pas twenty i've years, the council, as { body. has followed tho recommends tons of the pardon oonmittfse, al though at times the committee ha been divided ia its opinluns
 Upon receiving the report of tn pardon committee the council usuaiil acts upon it. immediately, ih ekseu. tive session and then lays it's rseata ManaAkiena ha6nge the gevcrnrr