Trial One

[ Bedroom Where Johnny O\\\'Connor Was Sleeping, Lucan Area Heritage and Donnelly Museum , The museum's log home is a recreation of the original Donnelly cabin that burned the night of the murders in 1880. Copyright Great Unsolved Canadian Mysteries Project, Jennifer Pettit, ]

The day of the murders, 4 February 1880, Thomas Hossack, the local coroner, gathered a jury to conduct an inquest into the “suspicious” death of the Donnellys. The purpose of the coroner’s inquest was to determine if a crime had in fact been committed, and to possibly implicate a person or persons in the crime. A variety of people testified, including Johnny O’Connor who claimed to have witnessed the murders, and Pat Whalen who lived across from the Donnelly farm. The inquest took place on three occasions--February 4, 11 and March 2. In the end the inquest determined that the crime of murder had taken place, but that "persons unknown" had killed the Donnellys. Regardless, local justice officials arrested thirteen men in connection with the murder, including constable James Carroll.

The next step before the actual trial would be held was the preliminary hearing. Held before the justices of the peace, the purpose of these hearings was to determine whether the prosecution’s accusation had sufficient merit to warrant a formal trial before a judge and jury in the superior court at the next Assize. This time, many of the same people who had testified at the coroner’s inquest were heard, as well as a number of new witnesses.

By the middle of March 1880, the preliminary hearing came to an end. A number of the prisoners, including Carroll, were sent to be tried at the next session of the court. The local papers ran numerous stories about the case including the difficulties of assembling a jury, determining if a verdict of guilty could be reached in the venue of London given the prejudice against the Donnellys and whether or not the prisoners would be found innocent or guilty. There was much ado about Johnny O’Connor. Could he be trusted? Would he be silenced? Indeed, Connor’s family home burned to the ground before the first trial took place. In particular, Will Donnelly fought for justice for his murdered family members.

The trial, which took place from 4-9 October 1880, divided the community into pro and anti-Donnelly factions. Will Donnelly fought particularly hard for justice for his murdered family. The jury returned on October 9, reporting that they could not come to a decision.

There are relatively few documents from the first trial included here since as the local newspaper pointed out, “there was but little evidence forthcoming which was not given at the preliminary trial of the prisoners.”

Initial Response, Inquest and Preliminary Hearing

Court Documents

Diaries, Journals or Reminiscences

Letters

Newspaper or Magazine Articles

Preparing for Trial

Court Documents

Letters

Newspaper or Magazine Articles

Trial One

Diaries, Journals or Reminiscences

Miscellaneous

Newspaper or Magazine Articles