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A Rush to Judgment: The Unfair Trial of Louis Riel
Did Louis Riel have a fair trial?
The trial and conviction of Louis Riel for treason in the summer of 1885 and his execution on November 16, 1885, have been the subject of historical comment and criticism for over one hundred years. The Trial of Louis Riel challenges the view held by some historians that Riel received a fair trial.
Roger E. Salhany argues that the judge allowed the prosecutors to control the proceedings, was biased in his charge to the jury, and failed to properly explain to the jury how they were to consider the evidence of legal insanity. He also argues that the government was anxious to ensure the execution of Riel, notwithstanding the recommendation of the jury for clemency, because of concerns that if Riel was sent to a mental hospital or prison, he would eventually be released and cause further trouble.
The trial and conviction of Louis Riel for treason in the summer of 1885 and his execution on November 16, 1885, have been the subject of historical comment and criticism for over one hundred years. The Trial of Louis Riel challenges the view held by some historians that Riel received a fair trial.
Roger E. Salhany argues that the judge allowed the prosecutors to control the proceedings, was biased in his charge to the jury, and failed to properly explain to the jury how they were to consider the evidence of legal insanity. He also argues that the government was anxious to ensure the execution of Riel, notwithstanding the recommendation of the jury for clemency, because of concerns that if Riel was sent to a mental hospital or prison, he would eventually be released and cause further trouble.
- GenresHistory
352 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2020
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July 1, 2020
This is a remarkable book. The trial certainly was not a fair one. In fact it bordered on a sham. Almost every single person, the defence lawyers, the crown lawyers, and the judge were either incompetent or infernally biased. The government wanted Riel out of the way and that is what they got. That is not to say there wasn’t enough evidence to convict him, but the way they went about created a martyr to the cause. A must read for those interested in Canadian history.
Displaying 1 of 1 review