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Donald Marshall Jr. was born
He was born to Caroline Marshall and grand chief of the Mi'kmaq Nation, Donald Marshall Sr. He is the oldest of 13 children. -
The Murder
Sandy Seale and Donald Marshall Jr. are walking together at night. After a confrontation with Roy Ebsary, Seale is fatally stabbed and everyone flees while Marshall runs to find help. -
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The Investigation
No autopsy was performed on the victim’s body. The crime scene wasn’t secured or photographed. A cursory search of the location turned up little evidence, and no murder weapon. After a brief interview with Marshall, investigators decided he had stabbed Seale during an argument. They believed the cut on his arm was self-inflicted. They did not search Marshall’s home for a murder weapon. -
Questioning
Donald Marshall Jr. is taken in for questioning and tells police what happened the night of the murder. Investigators questioned two teenage witnesses—one of whom was on probation, while the other had mental health issues—police re interviewed the 14‐ and 16‐year‐old boys, using oppressive questioning tactics and coerced untrue statements that formed the basis for charging Marshall. -
The Arrest
Police arrest Donald Marshal Jr. under one account of murder. He is only 17 years old at the time. -
The Trial
Donald Marshall Jr. is taken to court, and wrongly convicted of the murder of 17 year old Sandy Seale and sentenced to life in prison. Marshall does not break and keeps is initial claim as innocent. -
A Possible Witness
Jimmy MacNeil comes forward to tell the Sydney police that he had seen Ebsary stab Sandy Seale. The police dismissed the evidence, considering the case closed. -
Escape
Donald Marshall Jr. briefly escapes from jail in Springhill Nova Scotia, but is soon recaptured by police officers. -
Reinvestigation
At the request of the Sydney police, the RCMP began an investigation into Jimmy MacNeil's claim, as well as other new information - more and more evidence suggesting Ebsary committed the murder begins piling up. -
Freedom
Marshall is released on parole after having served 11 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. -
Aquitted
The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia officially acquitts Marshall of Seale’s murder -
Fishing Rights Battle
After catching and selling eels near Antigonish, NS, Marshall was convicted on charges of fishing out of season and without a licence. That began a six-year legal battle over First Nations treaty rights that went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. -
Victory
The Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that Donald Marshall Jr. had a treaty right to catch and sell fish. The Court found that Mi'kmaq and Maliseet people on the East Coast continue to have treaty rights to hunt, fish and gather to earn a moderate livelihood. These rights flow from the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed in 1760 and 1761 between the British Crown and the ancestors of the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet. -
Health Issues
ISuffering from a chronic respiratory disease, Marshall underwent a double lung transplant -
Further Charges
Marshall faced charges of attempted murder, uttering death threats and dangerous driving following a New Year's Eve party in which he was accused of attacking a man with a vehicle. The charges were dropped after both men agreed to participate in a healing circle. -
More Trouble With The Law
Marshall faced charges of assault against his wife, uttering threats against his wife and her ex-husband and breach of an undertaking. -
Death
Suffering from kidney failure afetr complications with his lung transplant, Marshall was admitted to hospital in Sydney, where he died, aged 55. He was buried as a First Nations hero.
