How this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and momentous – dates throughout multiple decades of violence in this area.

Throughout the area of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and embedded in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was held on a cold but bright day in Derry.

The march was challenging the system of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented after three years of unrest.

Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a crowd moving a youth, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the specialized division fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

One image became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, waving a blood-stained cloth in his effort to shield a group carrying a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded considerable film on the day.

Historical records contains Father Daly explaining to a media representative that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Individuals in the district being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

During the peace process, Tony Blair's government established a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had presented danger.

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the government chamber – declaring killings were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Families of the victims of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the civic building displaying photographs of their loved ones
Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday killings march from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center carrying photographs of their relatives

Authorities began to look into the incident.

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

Indictments were filed concerning the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was also accused of attempting to murder several people, other civilians, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the defendant's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.

He testified the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were armed.

This assertion was dismissed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the inquiry would not be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the veteran was screened from view using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the opening instance in the proceedings at a hearing in that month, to reply "not responsible" when the charges were presented.

Kin and allies of the victims on the incident carry a banner and photos of the deceased
Kin and supporters of those killed on that day display a placard and photographs of those killed

Kin of those who were killed on that day made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

One relative, whose relative was died, said they understood that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.

"I can see the events in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the main locations discussed in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the ambulance.

"I relived the entire event during the evidence.

"But even with enduring all that – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were died on Bloody Sunday
Deborah Trujillo
Deborah Trujillo

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