The Way this Trial of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict
January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most deadly – and consequential – dates during three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.
Within the community of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and etched in public consciousness.
A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear day in the city.
The protest was opposing the system of internment – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been established after multiple years of unrest.
Soldiers from the elite army unit killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly republican community.
A particular photograph became notably prominent.
Pictures showed a clergyman, Father Daly, waving a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to shield a assembly transporting a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been killed.
Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.
Historical records features the priest informing a journalist that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.
The narrative of the incident was rejected by the original examination.
The first investigation determined the Army had been attacked first.
In the peace process, the administration established a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.
During 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had been armed.
The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the Parliament – declaring deaths were "improper and inexcusable."
Authorities started to investigate the matter.
One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was brought to trial for homicide.
Indictments were filed over the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and 26-year-old William McKinney.
The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm several people, other civilians, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.
Exists a court ruling protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is necessary because he is at risk of attack.
He told the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were carrying weapons.
That claim was dismissed in the official findings.
Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used directly as evidence in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight behind a blue curtain.
He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were put to him.
Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.
One relative, whose relative was killed, said they were aware that attending the trial would be painful.
"I visualize all details in my recollection," John said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the case – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the courtyard, where James Wray and William McKinney were fatally wounded.
"It reminds me to my position that day.
"I assisted with my brother and put him in the ambulance.
"I went through the entire event during the testimony.
"Despite enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."