After Canada’s victory against the North-West Resistance, Louis Riel was tried for high treason and sentenced to death. His execution was appealed twice in higher courts and postponed once to allow for a medical examination because Riel’s lawyers argued he suffered from religious and political delusions and was not capable of comprehending the consequences of his actions. Riel’s sentence sparked outrage among French Canadians and his followers and was controversial even at the time. Despite the controversy and although Canada had the ability to commute his death sentence, Riel was hanged in Regina on 16 November 1885.