Soldier F Trial: Prosecution Concludes Case Against Former Paratrooper

Strategic Insights -

The trial of a former paratrooper, referred to as Soldier F for legal reasons, entered a critical phase as the prosecution concluded its case. The soldier is accused of murdering two men, James Wray and William McKinney, during a civil rights parade in Londonderry on January 30, 1972. The key evidence, described as "decisive" by the prosecution, includes statements by two other former paratroopers, Soldier G and Soldier H, which place Soldier F in Glenfada Park North and allege that he had opened fire. The prosecution's case relies heavily on the testimony of these two witnesses, which has been corroborated by civilian witness evidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The prosecution concluded its case against Soldier F, a former paratrooper accused of murdering two men on Bloody Sunday, on Friday.
  • The key evidence against Soldier F includes statements from two other former paratroopers, Soldier G and Soldier H, which place Soldier F in Glenfada Park North and allege that he had opened fire.
  • The defence team, led by Mark Mulholland KC, described the prosecution's case as "unconvincing" and argued that any conviction of Soldier F would be "unsafe".
  • The defence team contended that the civilian witness evidence contradicts the prosecution's case, which relies on the simultaneous firing of Soldiers G, F, and H.
  • The case now rests in the hands of the judge, who will rule on whether to admit the "decisive" evidence to the trial.
  • Soldier F has pleaded not guilty to the seven counts, including the murders of James Wray and William McKinney, and the attempted murder of four other men.

Statistics:

  • 13 people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday, January 30, 1972.
  • Soldier F is accused of murdering two men and attempting to murder five other men.
  • The trial began last month and is being held in Belfast Crown Court.
  • The defence team has described the prosecution's case as "fundamentally inconsistent" and "unconvincing".
  • The judge will rule on whether to admit the "decisive" evidence to the trial.

Sources:

  • The Daily Telegraph
  • The Irish News
  • Belfast Telegraph
  • BBC News
  • The Guardian