How the Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

January 30th, 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and momentous – days during three decades of unrest in this area.

Within the community where events unfolded – the images of Bloody Sunday are visible on the structures and seared in people's minds.

A civil rights march was held on a cold but bright day in Londonderry.

The demonstration was a protest against the policy of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place following multiple years of violence.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to protect a crowd transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to protect a assembly transporting a young man, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district – which was, and still is, a predominantly republican community.

A specific visual became notably iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a bloodied cloth as he tried to protect a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records features Father Daly telling a journalist that troops "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

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

The narrative of what happened was rejected by the first inquiry.

The first investigation concluded the military had been attacked first.

In the peace process, the ruling party established a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that overall, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, apologised in the government chamber – stating fatalities were "improper and unacceptable."

Kin of the casualties of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the Bogside area of the city to the municipal center holding pictures of their relatives
Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings march from the district of the city to the Guildhall displaying pictures of their relatives

The police commenced examine the incident.

An ex-soldier, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for murder.

Indictments were filed concerning the killings of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his attorneys have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the examination that he had only fired at people who were armed.

This assertion was rejected in the final report.

Material from the investigation would not be used directly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the defendant was screened from view with a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in court at a session in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday display a placard and photos of the victims
Kin and advocates of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a banner and photographs of those killed

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the case.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they understood that attending the case would be painful.

"I can see all details in my recollection," John said, as we visited the key areas discussed in the trial – from Rossville Street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and lay him in the vehicle.

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

"Despite enduring all that – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Joshua Francis
Joshua Francis

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