How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and significant – dates throughout multiple decades of conflict in the region.
In the streets of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are displayed on the walls and seared in people's minds.
A civil rights march was held on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Londonderry.
The march was opposing the system of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been established following three years of violence.
Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly republican population.
A particular photograph became particularly iconic.
Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to protect a crowd moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.
Media personnel documented much footage on the day.
Historical records contains Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.
That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.
The first investigation found the military had been attacked first.
During the negotiation period, the administration set up a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.
During 2010, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had posed any threat.
The then government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "improper and unjustifiable."
Law enforcement started to look into the matter.
A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.
He was charged concerning the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and 26-year-old William McKinney.
The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.
There is a legal order maintaining the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at danger.
He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at individuals who were armed.
This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.
Evidence from the investigation could not be used immediately as evidence in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the defendant was screened from view using a protective barrier.
He made statements for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to respond "innocent" when the charges were presented.
Relatives of the victims on the incident made the trip from Derry to the judicial building each day of the proceedings.
A family member, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they were aware that listening to the case would be emotional.
"I can see all details in my recollection," he said, as we examined the key areas discussed in the case – from the street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were died.
"It reminds me to my position that day.
"I participated in moving Michael and lay him in the medical transport.
"I experienced again the entire event during the testimony.
"Despite enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."
