Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 May 1912 — RICHESON’S LAST HOPE HUES [ARTICLE]

RICHESON’S LAST HOPE HUES

Governor Declares He Will Not Extend Clemency. ALIENISTS SAY SLAYER SANE Convicted Preacher Will Probably Pay . Penalty for Poisoning Avis Linneli, the Choir Giri, Next Monday. Boston, May 17.—Clarence V. T. Richeson must die in the electric chair at the Charleston state prison next week for the murder of Avis Llnnell of Hyannis. His last- hope expired when Governor Foss stated that he would not refer Richeson’s petition for commutation to the executive council. Governor Issues Statement. The governor’s decision came after reading the reports received from the six alienists who were chosen to examine the condemned man. The report of the alienists was practically to the effect, that Riches :-n :s sane.

' .The 'governor's ■ statement follows: “Executive clemency. '■ will. not be extended, in the case of Clarence V. T. Richeson. ' The. j.r'>':>■ - was ■ - sentenced upon his own confession "and. without a trial for a crime which It appears impossible that, any . ..normal man could commit. Insanity in Prisoner's Family. “The evidence shows that Richeson’s family is. heavily afflicted with insanity, that he himself is neurotic, a somnambulist and a neurasthenic; that he Is subject to' extreme- emotional disturbances. marked by loss of memory, which two alienists have diagnosed as hysterical insanity, one physician adding the alternative term of hysterical delirium, and the majority opinion indicating that these attacks are hysterical attacks marked by extreme emotional disturbances of brief duration with loss of memory during the attack and for a varying period following it. “The evidence, however. while clearly revealing these attacks, indicates that his crime was not committed by him during such an attack; therefore, while there Is some divergence of opinion among the alienists as to whether these attacks indicate Ictual Insanity, there is sufficient ground for the conclusion that he is accountable for his crime and that the exercise of executive clemency in this Instance would Pe contrary to the public good. • "The affidavits and medical evidence as to Richeson’s unfortunate heredity, bls lapses of consciences and his attacks of delirium are too serious to include in this statement aad are not suited to publication.” The execution of. Richeson win probably take place Monday morning.