The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict
January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and significant – dates during three decades of unrest in this area.
Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are painted on the buildings and etched in people's minds.
A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear day in Derry.
The demonstration was a protest against the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented following an extended period of unrest.
Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist area.
One image became especially prominent.
Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, using a stained with blood cloth as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.
Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.
Historical records contains the priest telling a media representative that military personnel "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.
This account of what happened was disputed by the original examination.
The Widgery Tribunal determined the soldiers had been shot at first.
Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.
During 2010, the report by the investigation said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that zero among the individuals had presented danger.
The then Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."
The police commenced examine the events.
A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was charged for killing.
He was charged regarding the fatalities of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.
The accused was also accused of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.
Remains a legal order preserving the defendant's privacy, which his attorneys have maintained is essential because he is at threat.
He stated to the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were possessing firearms.
That claim was dismissed in the final report.
Evidence from the examination was unable to be used directly as proof in the court case.
In court, the accused was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.
He spoke for the opening instance in the hearing at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were read.
Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to the courthouse each day of the case.
John Kelly, whose relative was died, said they always knew that attending the case would be emotional.
"I visualize everything in my memory," John said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and William McKinney were died.
"It returns me to my location that day.
"I participated in moving Michael and lay him in the vehicle.
"I went through each detail during the evidence.
"But even with experiencing everything – it's still worthwhile for me."