Admissibility of ‘decisive evidence’ in trial of Soldier F examined

The admissibility of “decisive evidence” in the trial of a former paratrooper accused of the murder of two men in Derry over 50 years ago is being examined.

It centres around statements made by two other soldiers which claim their colleague fired shots at Glenfada Park North on January 30 1972, the day when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civilians.

Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney.

He is also charged with five attempted murders during the incident in Derry’s Bogside area, namely of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, Patrick O’Donnell and a person unknown.

He has pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.

The trial opened at Belfast Crown Court on Monday and heard the prosecution’s opening statement as well the statements of a number of people present at the shootings.

Soldier F is sitting behind a curtain during the non-jury trial, while relatives of the Wray and McKinney families and supporters watch on from the public gallery.

Outside the court, a number of supporters of Soldier F and the wider veterans’ community have gathered on each day of the trial so far.

On Wednesday, prosecution barrister Louis Mably KC outlined the contents of the statements made by Soldiers G and H about the events of the day.

They include statements made by both to the Royal Military Police on the night of the shootings, as well as statements to the Widgery Inquiry later in 1972 and a transcript of oral evidence they gave to that inquiry.

The statements given to the RMP were ordered under compulsion, with no caution given and with no opportunity to consult legal representatives.

The evidence given to the inquiry was “similarly compelled”, but the oral section given under oath, and subjected to cross-examination.

Mr Mably described the contents of the statements as “both truthful and untruthful”, with some of the contents consistent with other eye witness evidence.

“They are truthful in some respects, but untruthful in others,” he said.

“Truthful in identifying which opened fire …. they had no good reason to lie about that.”

He argued that, taken together, “this is decisive evidence”.

WATCH: Brother of Bloody Sunday victim addresses crowd outside Royal Courts of Justice ahead of Soldier F trial

“Statements of G and H taken together is obviously decisive evidence, the question of whether or not F opened fire,” he said.

The court also heard that Soldier G is understood to have died.

While Soldier H remains alive, the court heard they have been approached to give evidence to the trial, but their solicitor has indicated that if compelled to attend, they will exercise their privilege against self incrimination.

The defence is set to respond on Thursday.

The trial continues.