The Emerson Case Emerson Timeline
Timeline Witnesses Trial Snapshot Laws More Info	The Music Hall stood at 229-231 Dundas Street in London, and it was the scene of a very dramatic shooting by William Emerson.  Here is a timeline of some events surrounding the case.
Emerson Timeline 1856 William D. Emerson was born in the United States.  His home was in Chicago. 1895 Emerson married Laura, from St. Louis, Missouri. 1896 William and Laura had a daughter. 1898 February 20 Emerson joined the Wesley Stock Company. March 28 The Wesley Stock company, under the direction of James Tuttle, arrived in London, Ontario for a performance at the Music Hall. April 1 Tuttle was shot by Emerson just before the curtain was to rise for a performance of The Candidate.  Emerson gave himself up to the police and was arrested and charged with murder. April 5 In a preliminary examination, the charge against Emerson was reduced from murder to manslaughter. June 23 Bail was set at $8000 but Emerson had no money, so he remained in jail. September 28 The charge of manslaughter was disputed, and Emerson was again on trial for murder -  a crime punishable by hanging. September 29 After six months in jail, the trial began. October 3 The verdict was finally given after three and a half hours of deliberation.  The jury returned a verdict of "not guilty"!  Emerson was a very popular actor and the crowd went wild with enthusiasm.  People rose and cheered; men waved their hats and women waved their handkerchiefs. October 4 Emerson thinks about managing the Music Hall for a season but instead he went back to the United States.
Was it murder or manslaughter? Murder Manslaughter Send me your reason!
Researched and written by Karen Allen Summer 1999
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The London and Middlesex Historical Society