How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and consequential – occasions during multiple decades of violence in the region.
Within the community of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and etched in people's minds.
A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.
The protest was opposing the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of conflict.
Military personnel from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist area.
A specific visual became particularly prominent.
Images showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a stained with blood cloth while attempting to protect a crowd carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.
Journalists documented extensive video on the day.
Documented accounts features the priest telling a media representative that military personnel "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the gunfire.
This account of events was disputed by the original examination.
The first investigation concluded the Army had been attacked first.
In the resolution efforts, the administration set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.
That year, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had been armed.
The then Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the House of Commons – saying deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."
Law enforcement started to examine the events.
A military veteran, identified as the defendant, was brought to trial for homicide.
Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.
The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, more people, an additional individual, and an unknown person.
Exists a judicial decision preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.
He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.
That claim was disputed in the official findings.
Material from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as evidence in the criminal process.
In court, the accused was hidden from public with a protective barrier.
He spoke for the opening instance in court at a proceeding in that month, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were read.
Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from the city to Belfast Crown Court daily of the trial.
One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that listening to the proceedings would be painful.
"I can see the events in my recollection," the relative said, as we examined the key areas mentioned in the trial – from the location, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were fatally wounded.
"It even takes me back to where I was that day.
"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the ambulance.
"I relived the entire event during the evidence.
"Despite experiencing all that – it's still meaningful for me."