Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-08-07
SHORT WORK MADE OF REBEL REL.
The jury Renders IA Verdict of Guilty
The Prisoner sentenced to be Hanged
on the 18th of September at Re
gina-Riei's Appeal,


on the 18th of September at Re-
gina-Rieis Appeal.
REGINA, n. W. T., August 1.-The de-
fence concluded yesterday morning in half
an hour. The balance of the forenoon
was occupied in hearing the evidence call
ed by the Crown in rebuttal and the ad-
dress to the jury by Mr.. Fitzpatrick
General Middleton and others testified
that Riel, in their opinion, was perfectly
sane and cunning Mr.. Fitzpatrck's line
was that Riel took hold of IA movement agi.
tated constitutionally and intended to con-
tnue it, but that the movement assumed
such proportions that Riel could not con
troll it, and his mind lost its pose. He
was carried along with it and was not re-
spOnSible as provided in cases of high trea-
son.
The judge gave Rel an opportunity of
addressing the jury. lie occupied nearly
two hours in the delivery of his speech.
The court was crowded to the utmost, and
IA breathless stiffness prevailed.
A Prayer for Blessing.
Riel prefaced his speech with the follow
ing prayer, delivered with his eyes turned
toward heaven 80 my God, help me
through the grace and divine influence of
!
this honorable court, bless this honorable
| jury, bless my good lawyers, who have come
700 leagues to try to save my life ; bless
the lawyers of the Crown, because they
have done, am sure, what they thought
their duty and they have shown fairness
which | did not expect. O my God bless
all those who are around me through the
grace of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Turn
their curiosity into calm interest, Amen y
an conclusion Riel read from a paper
written in pencil as follows =
Your Honor and Jury-My reputation,
my liberty, my life are at your disposal.
SO confident am of your sense of duty |
have not the slightest doubt as to your
verdict. The CalnnesS of my mind con
corning the favorable decision | expect
from you does not come from any pre-
sumption My party hope for a conscien-
tious verdict, and that after having heard
what have to say you will aCquit me.
do respect YOU although you are only halt
a jury But your number of six does not
prevent you from being Just and cOnscien
tiOuS and does not prevent you from hay
ing my confidence BY the testimony laC
before you during the trial the witnesses
on both side have made it certain to yoJ
that petition after petition has been SEN
to the federal government, but So irres
pOnSible is that government to the North
west that in the course of several years
besides doing nothing to satisfy the peopl,
. of the Northw est, it has not answered once
or given a sign of response Thi
fact would indicate absolute lacl
of responsibility and insanity, complica
ted with paralysis That irresponsible, in
sane government, ard its little one, TIL
Northwest Council, have made up the
minds to answer my petitions by sur
rounding me slyly and by attempting It
jump at me and my people in Saskatche
wan. Happily, when they showed thei
, teeth to devOur | was ready. | have fire.
and wounded them. Bear it in mind
that is what is called my crime of higl
| treason. They led me to it, but my &C
2 was in the name of Jesus Christ the onl
one who can help me. They are trying t
| tear me to pieces. If you believe the pie
of insanity of the defence-that am no
2 responsible for my acts-acquit me since
2 have been quarrelling with the insan
q acts of the government. If you believe i
e the Crown, which contends that | am res
' pOnsible, acquit me. You are perfect
= justitiable to declare that, having my ret
t son and sound mind, have acted respol
e sibly and in sound mind, while the COY
t eminent, my aggressOr, has acted madly
e and, if there be high treason, 1t must b
on their side, not on mine.
= Intense excitement was caused by tn
e address.
/ Counsellor Robertson closed the case fo
. the Crown, and the judge charged tn
= jury
WINNlrEG, Aug, 1.-The jury in tn
: Riel trial at Regina We're out about thirt
| minutes. They returned verdict {
t guilty.
Riel Receives sentence.
f WINNIPEG, Man, Aug. 2.-Louis Rio
. the rebel leader, was yesterday afternoo
+ found guilty by the jury which recommend
u ed him to the mercy of the crown. RE