Louis Riel's trial for treason begins in Regina

Background. Following the defeat at Batoche, Louis Riel surrendered to government forces on May 15, 1885. He was subsequently charged with six counts of high treason by a sworn information laid before the stipendiary magistrate on July 6, 1885. The trial was scheduled to open in Regina on July 20, 1885, before a court composed of stipendiary magistrate Hugh Richardson, assisted by Henry Le Jeune, a justice of the peace.

Trial Commencement. The trial opened in Regina on July 20, 1885, before a court composed of stipendiary magistrate Hugh Richardson, assisted by Henry Le Jeune, a justice of the peace. After an application was granted, the trial began in earnest on July 28, 1885, with jury selection. The proceedings lasted five days and took place in Regina, Canada.

Legal Context. The trial was conducted in Regina, a city that attained national prominence in 1885 during the North-West Rebellion, when troops transported by train on the CPR from eastern Canada could travel as far as Qu'Appelle Station before marching to the further Northwest. The legal proceedings were presided over by stipendiary magistrate Hugh Richardson, assisted by Henry Le Jeune, a justice of the peace.