1. Riels defense lawyer wanted to make Riel seem and look insane so his punishment wouldn’t be as harsh. If he was able to convince them that Riel can’t hold responsibility for his actions because he was not himself and he didn’t do it because he chose too, then they wouldn’t sentence him to death, but rather to an insane asylum or such.
2. Riels prosecutor was trying to convince the jury that riel led the rebellion sound mindedly.
3. Witness Helped or Hindered How can you tell? Riels case?
Dr. John Willoughby | Hindered | He made Riels plan of setting up a new government seem much more overpowering than Riel really imagined it; he wanted equal say in the parliament at Ottawa, not to not deal with them at all | John Astley | Hindered | He made it seem like the Metis would do anything Riel said and that Riel KNEW this. He also said that he thought Riel seemed intelligent and clever, and you have to be sane and aware to act as such. | George Ness | Helped | What he recalled about Riel saying to Father Andre made Riel seem insane; who can really tell future events and know the spirit of God is in someone?! | Charles Nolin | HelpedHindered | He said that a book Riel has written was written in buffalo blood-no one would do that if they have ink. Having written a book on overtaking such a strong and stable government might also sound a bit bizarre and insane. Nolin also supported that whenever police or the Mounties were mentioned Riel would become incontrollable-this was reaction could’ve been beyond his will and sanity. Nolin says that Riels book clearly states that he wants to destroy England and Canada-this proves Riel was sane, and knew exactly what he wanted. The fact that Riel became incontrollable when the police was mentioned, this could also show how much he knew he hated them-he was sane to have such a feeling. | Father Alexis Andre | HinderedHelped | He makes it seem