Hearsay Allowed in Soldier F Non-Jury Bloody Sunday Trial

Judge Patrick Lynch at Belfast Crown Court ruled that hearsay statements from Soldiers G and H may be admitted in the non-jury trial of Soldier F. Soldier F, a former Parachute Regiment member who denies the charges, is accused of murdering James (Jim) Wray and William McKinney and of five counts of attempted murder arising from the Jan. 30, 1972 Bogside shootings that left 13 civilians dead. The prosecution says the soldiers' statements to the Royal Military Police and the Widgery Inquiry are decisive and the only evidence capable of proving Soldier F fired at civilians in Glenfada Park North. Soldier G is deceased and Soldier H is unwilling to testify, limiting the defence's ability to test the accounts. The defence argued the statements are contradictory, unreliable and inadmissible. Judge Lynch said he would not give reasons for admitting the statements at this stage but will do so if necessary; the trial was adjourned with witness evidence due to begin next week and bereaved relatives welcomed the ruling.