How the Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict
January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and significant – dates during three decades of unrest in the region.
Within the community where it happened – the memories of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and seared in people's minds.
A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear period in the city.
The protest was challenging the practice of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been established after an extended period of violence.
Soldiers from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist area.
A specific visual became notably prominent.
Photographs showed a clergyman, the priest, displaying a blood-stained white handkerchief as he tried to protect a group carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.
News camera operators documented much footage on the day.
The archive features Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.
The narrative of what happened was disputed by the initial investigation.
The initial inquiry found the military had been attacked first.
In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.
During 2010, the report by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had posed any threat.
At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the government chamber – declaring killings were "unjustified and inexcusable."
The police began to investigate the matter.
A military veteran, known as the defendant, was brought to trial for killing.
He was charged over the killings of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.
Soldier F was additionally charged of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.
Exists a court ruling maintaining the soldier's privacy, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.
He testified the examination that he had only fired at people who were carrying weapons.
This assertion was rejected in the final report.
Evidence from the inquiry could not be used immediately as evidence in the legal proceedings.
In the dock, the accused was hidden from public using a blue curtain.
He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a session in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the allegations were put to him.
Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.
John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that listening to the trial would be emotional.
"I can see all details in my recollection," John said, as we visited the main locations discussed in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where James Wray and William McKinney were killed.
"It returns me to my location that day.
"I helped to carry my brother and place him in the ambulance.
"I relived every moment during the proceedings.
"Despite enduring everything – it's still meaningful for me."
