How this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

Youths in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as among the most deadly – and significant – occasions during thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the legacy of that fateful day are displayed on the walls and etched in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright afternoon in Derry.

The protest was challenging the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been established following an extended period of conflict.

A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to defend a crowd carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a assembly moving a young man, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist community.

A particular photograph became notably prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, the priest, waving a stained with blood fabric as he tried to defend a assembly moving a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly informing a journalist that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Individuals in the Bogside area being directed to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the district being directed to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government set up a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

That year, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had been armed.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the government chamber – declaring fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the victims of the tragic event fatalities walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the civic building holding images of their family members
Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings process from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying photographs of their loved ones

The police commenced look into the incident.

A military veteran, known as the accused, was brought to trial for murder.

He was charged over the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was additionally charged of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is necessary because he is at danger.

He told the investigation that he had solely shot at people who were carrying weapons.

That claim was dismissed in the concluding document.

Information from the inquiry was unable to be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.

In court, the accused was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a proceeding in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were read.

Kin and supporters of those killed on that day carry a sign and photos of those killed
Family members and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a banner and photographs of the deceased

Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see the events in my recollection," John said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the trial – from Rossville Street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

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

"I relived every moment during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding enduring the process – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were died on Bloody Sunday
John Barker
John Barker

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