The Hillsborough Family Support Group mounts a private prosecution of Duckenfield and his deputy, superintendentBernard Murray, for manslaughter. He said: "He has a resilient, passive and expressionless external presentation which gives no indication of his state of mind so don't draw an adverse inference against him.". "30 years means myths took root about fans being a cause of the disaster, now unequivocally shown by both defence and prosecution evidence to be wrong. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US. They applied to have the case against them dismissed after a month of evidence in a trial that had been awaited for decades by the victims families. Mackrell, who sought in his defence to blame Liverpool supporters for the dangerous congestion that developed at the turnstiles, will be sentenced on 13 May. A jury failed to reach a verdict in the case of David Duckenfield, the former South Yorkshire police chief superintendent and match commander on the day of the Hillsborough disaster. The agony of the families of the dead is unimaginable. Inquests open in Sheffield, heard by the local coroner, and South Yorkshire Police renews its argument that drunk supporters who arrived late and without tickets contributed to the disaster. Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, 69, stood trial alongside Duckenfield in January and was found guilty of a health and safety offence for failing to ensure there were enough turnstiles to prevent unduly large crowds building up outside the ground. Hillsboroughs final victim, 22-year-old Tony Bland, dies after being taken off life support, pushing the death toll up to 96. Your IP: David Duckenfield, the police commander at the Hillsborough football stadium disaster, was on Thursday found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans who were. I hoped it would go away. The jury fails to reach a verdict on Duckenfield. At that point, Duckenfield gave the command to open another gate to the stadium and about 2,000 fans then made their way into the ground. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? They knew the law would let them down. Tom Davidson Assistant news editor. A jury found the former South. The prosecution in the case alleged Duckenfield, 75, had a 'personal responsibility' for what happened at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, when 96 people were fatally injured . And despite the words of regret expressed in 2015, this included the resurrection of shameless claims about ticketless and late supporters. Last year it was confirmed no-one else would face prosecution for the unlawful killing of 96 men, women and children. A police chief told a "wicked lie" by suggesting Liverpool fans forced open a gate ahead of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, the inquests heard. Sleep expert shares exact time children should go to bed, 11 things we learnt at an explosive Liverpool Council budget meeting, Police say body found in search for missing baby in Sussex, Eccleston skier races into a podium finish at Italian competition, Last minute donation saves Wirral flat full of unique artwork at auction, CQC publish findings on Ainsdale Court care home in Rainhill, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Ben Myers QC made the claim in his. As fans were dying he suggested they were responsible for the crush that was a consequence of his decision. The prosecution in the case alleged Duckenfield, 75, had a 'personal responsibility' for what happened at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989, where 96 men, women. Read about our approach to external linking. It took some tortuous legal logic to create a courtroom environment where this could be allowed to happen. Duckenfield stood trial earlier this year but the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict and a retrial was ordered. Match commander tells inquest that watching a documentary made him realise the effect the disaster had on the bereaved families. We need to be able to trust the emergency services and the systems that are set up to protect the populace. Home secretary Theresa May orders a new criminal investigation into the disaster, Operation Resolve. Read about our approach to external linking. Bereaved families are angered that the inquests cannot consider the emergency response after that point, and an accidental death verdict is returned on 26 March 1991. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. On 28 November, the remaining jurors acquit Mr Duckenfield of gross negligence manslaughter, as the investigating police officer says the delay between the disaster and the trial should not have been allowed to happen. Sergeant Michael Goddard, who was in the police control box, told the trial the request was not unusual, 2.30pm: Duckenfield raises the size of the crowd outside the Leppings Lane turnstiles and asks ground commander, Supt Bernard Murray, whether those fans will be in the ground for the 3pm kick-off. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The new Hillsborough inquests start in Warrington, and go on to become the longest case ever heard by a British jury. Sue Hemming, the CPS director of legal services, reacts to the decision by issuing a scathing statement. Former superintendent Roger Marshall agreed match. A second juror is discharged on 19 November after suffering a bereavement, leaving a jury of seven women and three men to decide the case. It was David Duckenfield, Preston Crown Court heard, who told FA chiefs fans had gained entry through a forced stadium gate before the crush on the terraces beyond. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Duckenfield said he had watched a video about the disaster, including footage of a mother having to cuddle her dead child on the dirty floor of the Hillsborough gymnasium, which the police used as a mortuary that day. For all that time, the families of those who died, and the survivors of the crush, have campaigned for justice and accountability. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Following a public announcement by Labour minister Andy Burnham, concerning the possible early release of Hillsborough-related documents, the HFSG meets with the home secretary and the Hillsborough Independent Panel is set up. What happened in Sheffield was beyond horrific. Despite this, the retired officer was able to walk away last week in the face of overwhelming evidence and his own admissions. The collapse of the latest Hillsborough trial comes after 30 years of legal battles over responsibility for the disaster, which claimed 96 lives on 15 April 1989. The passage of 30 years has presented challenges for everyone involved in the legal process, prosecution and defence. After delivering the verdict the judge, Sir Peter Openshaw thanked the jury before they were dismissed. Because any time you or your loved ones attend a public event it should be with the knowledge that the people responsible for maintaining order and safety will be competent. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Mr Duckenfield, of Ferndown, Dorset, was cleared after a seven-week retrial at Preston Crown Court. The prosecution in the case alleged Duckenfield, 75, had a "personal responsibility" for what happened at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989, where 96 men, women . "Everybody knew the truth, the fans and police knew the truth that we'd opened the gates," he said. The report also accuses police chief David Duckenfield, who was responsible for the match, of blunders of the first magnitude. Crucially, the panel finds that 41 victims did not have signs of the crush injuries originally claimed by pathologists, and so may have been saved. I am now very much older, very much wiser and very much more understanding of the events of the day and have decided to tell the whole truth, Duckenfield said. Benjamin Myers QC, defending Duckenfield, told the jury he had been a "target of blame" for the disaster. Judge Sir Peter Openshaw also told jurors the condition could explain Duckenfield's lack of reaction as he sat in the well of the court throughout the trial. 2.52pm: After a third request to open the gates from Supt Marshall - who this time says there is a risk of injury or death if it is not done - Duckenfield orders them to be opened. He vomited inside the bag before he died. The jury did, however, reach a majority verdict to convict Graham Mackrell, Sheffield Wednesdays then-secretary and safety officer, of failing to take reasonable care of Liverpool supporters safety, by allocating only seven turnstiles for the 10,100 people. Duckenfields acquittal underlines that no one has been held responsible for Hillsborough. Civil actions seeking damages starts within days of the disaster, both from relatives of the victims and survivors who have suffered physical injuries and psychological effects. Supt Murray assures him they will, 2.47pm: Supt Marshall requests, for the first time, for stadium gates to be opened at the Leppings Lane end. Members of the public make 17 complaints that are considered for disciplinary action, which is recommended for David Duckenfield and Bernard Murray, who was ground commander on the day. For this to happen, there needs to be accountability. His lawyers argued those errors were accepted only in hindsight, and through the fight put up to try and stop him being prosecuted it was clear that, by the time he uttered not guilty at his manslaughter plea hearing in September 2018, he did not think those failings were so bad they were criminal. They live with the misery every day. 2.17pm: Superintendent Roger Marshall requests for Leppings Lane to be closed to traffic. He was. It also prompts calls for criminal action. The full report reinforces criticism of the police while its recommendations lead to the introduction of all-seater stadiums and the removal of perimeter fencing around grounds. The prosecution alleged Mr Duckenfield had a "personal responsibility" for what happened at the match. The former chief superintendent of South Yorkshire police, David Duckenfield, leaves after giving evidence to the Hillsborough inquest in Warrington. Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher, 18, died in the disaster, said: "I'm shocked and stunned by the verdict of the jury. Turnips vs. tomatoes: should salad crisis force UK shoppers back to their roots? ", "I have no excuses. He will now be able to resume his life in retirement on the south coast. A judge lifts the historic stay of further prosecution on Mr Duckenfield, allowing new proceedings to go ahead. It remained open for more than five minutes. He said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those people safe - had ordered for exit gates to be opened. "I am really angry but I am trying be calm for these families who have suffered," she said. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Latest trial follows two sets of inquests, private prosecutions and civil proceedings over the disaster, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. After three years reviewing 450,000 documents, including those relating to former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and Merseyside Police, the Hillsborough Independent Panel publishes its report and exposes the police campaign to blame Liverpool fans. Abuse of process arguments for other defendants fails. ", To the families he added: "It has now dawned on me what it means to you, and I am dreadfully sorry. But in November 1991, a House of Lords ruling states that the chief constable of South Yorkshire has admitted liability in negligence in respect of the deaths and physical injuries. This halts disciplinary proceedings being brought by the Police Complaints Authority. And it is not his fault those who deserved to face the same scrutiny he did will never be held accountable for the deaths of the 96. The ruling states that all the victims were dead by 3.15pm. Unlike Duckenfield, the families, survivors and those affected by Hillsborough cannot sleep easy. As the families continue to campaign, ITV screens a drama about the disaster written by Jimmy McGovern. Click to reveal The prosecution argued that, back then, Duckenfield was looking to shift blame. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. But he remains a liar whose claims caused hurt, anger and despair. Duckenfield was a public servant who failed in his basic duties to the people he was charged with protecting. 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