The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Youths in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most deadly – and significant – occasions throughout multiple decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and seared in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.

The march was opposing the system of internment – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been put in place in response to an extended period of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to protect a crowd carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a group transporting a teenager, the injured teenager

Troops from the elite army unit killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly nationalist population.

One image became particularly memorable.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood fabric in his effort to shield a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records features the priest informing a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the Bogside area being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being directed to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened was disputed by the initial investigation.

The first investigation determined the Army had been shot at first.

During the peace process, the administration set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that none of the casualties had presented danger.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – declaring fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."

Families of the casualties of the tragic event shootings process from the district of Derry to the civic building holding pictures of their loved ones
Relatives of the victims of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the neighborhood of the city to the Guildhall carrying photographs of their family members

The police started to investigate the matter.

A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder.

Indictments were filed concerning the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

He stated to the investigation that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.

The statement was disputed in the official findings.

Information from the investigation could not be used directly as evidence in the court case.

In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were read.

Relatives and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a banner and images of the deceased
Kin and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday hold a placard and photographs of the deceased

Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from the city to the judicial building daily of the trial.

John Kelly, whose sibling was killed, said they always knew that listening to the case would be emotional.

"I can see everything in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the vehicle.

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding having to go through all that – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Paige Brown
Paige Brown

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