The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict
January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and momentous – occasions throughout multiple decades of unrest in the region.
Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and embedded in collective memory.
A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear day in Londonderry.
The march was a protest against the practice of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of conflict.
Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist population.
A specific visual became especially iconic.
Pictures showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to protect a crowd moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.
Journalists recorded extensive video on the day.
Historical records contains the priest explaining to a media representative that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.
That version of what happened was rejected by the original examination.
The initial inquiry determined the Army had been attacked first.
Throughout the peace process, the administration set up another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.
That year, the report by the inquiry said that generally, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the individuals had presented danger.
At that time Prime Minister, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."
Authorities commenced examine the incident.
One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was brought to trial for homicide.
Accusations were made over the killings of the first individual, 22, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.
The defendant was also accused of trying to kill multiple individuals, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.
Remains a legal order maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have maintained is necessary because he is at threat.
He stated to the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.
The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.
Information from the examination was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the veteran was screened from view behind a blue curtain.
He spoke for the first time in court at a proceeding in that month, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were presented.
Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.
One relative, whose sibling was killed, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.
"I visualize all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the case – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and the second person were fatally wounded.
"It reminds me to where I was that day.
"I assisted with the victim and lay him in the vehicle.
"I went through the entire event during the testimony.
"Notwithstanding enduring the process – it's still valuable for me."