Clarence Richeson

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Rev. C.V. Richeson LCCN2014691828

Clarence Virgil Thompson Richeson (August 15, 1876 – May 21, 1912) was an American clergyman and convicted murderer. He was a Baptist minister who became infamous for the murder of his fiancée, Avis Linnell, in 1911.

Early Life

Clarence Richeson was born in Amherst County, Virginia. He was the son of a prominent family and was well-educated, attending Randolph-Macon College and later the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Richeson was known for his charismatic personality and was considered a promising young minister.

Career

Richeson served as a pastor in several churches, including the Immanuel Baptist Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His career was marked by his ability to attract and inspire congregations, and he quickly rose to prominence within the Baptist community.

Murder of Avis Linnell

In 1911, Richeson became engaged to Avis Linnell, a young woman from Hyannis, Massachusetts. However, he was also secretly engaged to another woman, Violet Edmands, who came from a wealthy family. On October 14, 1911, Avis Linnell was found dead in a boarding house in Boston, Massachusetts. The cause of death was determined to be cyanide poisoning.

Investigation and Trial

The investigation into Linnell's death quickly led to Richeson, who was found to have purchased cyanide shortly before her death. It was revealed that Linnell was pregnant at the time of her death, and it was believed that Richeson had poisoned her to avoid scandal and to proceed with his marriage to Edmands.

Richeson was arrested and charged with murder. The trial attracted significant media attention, and Richeson eventually confessed to the crime. He was sentenced to death and was executed by electrocution at the Charlestown State Prison on May 21, 1912.

Legacy

The case of Clarence Richeson remains a notable example of early 20th-century American crime and the intersection of religion, morality, and law. It has been the subject of various books and articles, reflecting on the societal implications of the case.

See Also

• List of people executed in Massachusetts
• Capital punishment in the United States
• History of Boston

Further Reading

• Murder in the First Degree
• Famous American Trials