The Way the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and consequential – days throughout three decades of conflict in the region.

In the streets where events unfolded – the images of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and etched in collective memory.

A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear day in Derry.

The march was a protest against the system of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been put in place following multiple years of violence.

Military personnel from the elite army unit killed 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist area.

A particular photograph became notably prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to shield a crowd moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly informing a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

That version of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The first investigation concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, the ruling party commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the findings by Lord Saville said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the individuals had posed any threat.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, apologised in the Parliament – stating killings were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Authorities began to look into the events.

A military veteran, referred to as Soldier F, was charged for killing.

Accusations were made over the killings of the first individual, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The defendant was also accused of trying to kill several people, additional persons, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision preserving the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have argued is required because he is at threat.

He testified the examination that he had solely shot at people who were possessing firearms.

That claim was rejected in the official findings.

Evidence from the inquiry could not be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the hearing at a hearing in that month, to answer "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they understood that listening to the case would be emotional.

"I remember everything in my memory," John said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the trial – from the location, where his brother was killed, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It even takes me back to my position that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"Despite experiencing the process – it's still worthwhile for me."