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Soldiers

Flawed Evidence Casts Doubt on Bloody Sunday Trials

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Prosecutors claim that statements given by soldiers who witnessed the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972 are key to the case against Soldier F, accused of murder and attempted murder. However, the defense has argued that these statements, taken by the Royal Military Police (RMP) 50 years ago, are unreliable and fundamentally flawed. The statements are the only evidence prosecutors claim can prove Soldier F fired at civilians.

The court has heard that the RMP statements are a series of inconsistent allegations, and the military does not have an archive of the statements. Additionally, witnesses who gave oral evidence to the first Bloody Sunday Inquiry, the Widgery Tribunal, were not cross-examined on that evidence. The defense has described the problems with the evidence as a "multiplicity of factual and legal issues" and a "conglomerate of issues".

Key Takeaways:

  • The defense has raised concerns over the reliability of statements given by soldiers who witnessed the events of Bloody Sunday.
  • The RMP statements are the only evidence prosecutors claim can prove Soldier F fired at civilians.
  • The statements are 50 years old and were taken by the Royal Military Police at the time.
  • Witnesses who gave oral evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry were not cross-examined on that evidence.
  • The military does not have an archive of the statements.
  • The defense has described the problems with the evidence as a "multiplicity of factual and legal issues" and a "conglomerate of issues".
  • Soldier F denies the charges of murder and attempted murder.

Statistics:

  • 13 civil rights demonstrators were shot dead on Bloody Sunday in 1972.
  • 13 people were injured on Bloody Sunday.
  • 5 people were attempted to be murdered by Soldier F on Bloody Sunday.
  • Soldier F is the only soldier to face trial in relation to the massacre.
  • The courthouse has heard that there is a "cloud of uncertainty" around the evidence presented.

Sources:

  • "Neil Johnston" (author unknown) - "By comrades of a soldier accused of open fire on civilians and murdering two people on Bloody Sunday are "fundamentally flawed", a court heard" (date unknown)

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