It is right that an impartial and thorough investigation was carried out, and it is right that a jury was asked to make a judgement of the facts. Even while the dead and dying were lying on the pitch, barely attended to by the emergency services, Duckenfield was throwing the blame and trying to avoid the responsibility for a decision that caused the carnage. david duckenfield cycling. The then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concludes that there is no new evidence as alleged by the HFSG and their legal representatives, and therefore no grounds for reopening the police investigation into the Hillsborough disaster. This 1992 family photo shows, from left, her son Thomas . In 2015 at the Hillsborough Inquests he accepted that this was the direct cause of the 96 deaths. 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. Christine Burke, whose father Henry Burke was killed in the disaster, stood in the public gallery and addressed the judge after the verdict was read out. 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. The retired chief . 2023 BBC. Sue Hemming, the CPS director of legal services, reacts to the decision by issuing a scathing statement. I hoped it would go away. Click to reveal 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 inquests become controversial after Dr Stefan Popper limits their scope to events up to 3.15pm on the day of the disaster just nine minutes after the match was halted and excludes the witness evidence of two doctors inside the stadium. I did my very best on the day.". But while his acquittal means he did not fail to a criminal standard, it does not mean he did not fail at all. Former superintendent Roger Marshall agreed match. Mistake. But the Hillsborough families and survivors will find the outcome hard to take and will ask hard questions about the 65m spent on a criminal investigation which has ended with no one convicted for so many lives lost. 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. Thirty years later he remained a man who sought, via his lawyers, to do the same thing. 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. An investigation was launched after more than 1,500 police pocket notebooks relevant to the Hillsborough disaster were uncovered weeks before the trial of David Duckenfield was due to start, it. David Duckenfield was in charge of policing the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, The people who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster, The crush developed in the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough stadium, David Duckenfield pictured in 1989, a month after the Hillsborough disaster, Ninety-six people were fatally injured in the 1989 disaster. The only effective way to ensure this sort of scenario is not repeated is accountability. Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher, 18, died in the disaster, said: "I'm shocked and stunned by the verdict of the jury. Duckenfields acquittal underlines that no one has been held responsible for Hillsborough. The former chief superintendent said he "deeply regretted" not telling then-FA chief executive Graham Kelly that it was his decision that caused the fatal crush saying he would regret the lie "to his dying day". Following judicial advice, the PCA decides against proceeding against Mr Murray alone. Christine, whose father Henry Burke was killed in the disaster, addressed the judge after the verdict was read out. "It is right that an impartial and thorough investigation was carried out, and it is right that a jury was asked to make a judgement of the facts. The prosecution alleged Mr Duckenfield had a "personal responsibility" for what happened at the match. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 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. The CPS announces that all charges against Sir Norman Bettison are being dropped because there is insufficient evidence for a realistic chance of a conviction, which is the test for all prosecutions. That should never have happened, and we will continue to learn the . Mr Duckenfield, now 71, had claimed that after a large crowd built up outside the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium, Liverpool fans had broken in, causing a rush of people to flood into the fenced-in terraces. Former Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield at Preston Crown court. Allan Green, the director of public prosecutions, finds there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against any individual, group or corporate body. Relatives and friends of the victims were gathered at the Cunard Building on Liverpool's waterfront when the verdict was announced. He vomited inside the bag before he died. The CPS spokeswoman said: "The disaster at Hillsborough 30 years ago has caused unimaginable suffering to the families of those who sadly lost their lives and to everybody affected by the tragic events of that day. Sir Peter Openshaw, the judge, told the jury that the inquests findings which were not discussed in court were quite irrelevant. The verdict defies logic. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Why Covid lab-leak theory is now being taken seriously, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. The passage of 30 years has presented challenges for everyone involved in the legal process, prosecution and defence. Amid growing calls for transparency, the Hillsborough Independent Panel is set up. For all that time, the families of those who died, and the survivors of the crush, have campaigned for justice and accountability. "I am really angry but I am trying be calm for these families who have suffered," she said. 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. The entrance had a limited number of turnstiles, of which just seven were allocated to the 10,100 fans with tickets for the standing terraces. inquest verdicts brought by six representative families. Now the Crown Prosecution Service could consider a prosecution against the former chief superintendent from South Yorkshire police after a jury decided his actions amounted to "manslaughter by gross negligence" due to a breach of his duty of care to fans. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. It leads to a new criminal inquiry into the disaster and an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. A Liverpool fan, he was present at the Hillsborough disaster, The not-guilty verdict over the Hillsborough tragedy has grave implications for society, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. South Yorkshire Police match commander, David Duckenfield, is found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter for the deaths of 95 Liverpool fans, in a retrial, by a majority of 9-1. About 45 family members watched the verdict from the Cunard building in Liverpool, where the trial was screened. The acquittal of David Duckenfield is the latest twist in the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years. Home secretary Theresa May orders a new criminal investigation into the disaster, Operation Resolve. Duckenfield then lied and told FA executives that fans had broken in to the stadium. South Yorkshire coroner Dr Stefan Popper begins the inquest process into the deaths, but only considers events up until 3.15pm on the day of the disaster, nine minutes after the match was stopped, so the role of the emergency services after the disaster does not come under scrutiny. It also must be proved that it could be foreseen the breach would give rise to an obvious risk of death, that it caused the death and - most challenging of all - that the circumstances of the breach were so reprehensible as to justify the conclusion that it amounted to gross negligence and required criminal sanction. "He understands the public interest in this case, but would ask that his privacy and that of his family is respected, and will not be commenting further. Mr Mackrell is fined 6,500 for the offence, sparking outrage from victims relatives who called the penalty shameful. 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. David Duckenfield had been appointed Chief Superintendent of the South Yorkshire Police just 19 days before the disaster. The Hillsborough Family Support Group mounts a private prosecution of Duckenfield and his deputy, superintendentBernard Murray, for manslaughter. 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. Mr Murray is acquitted and the jury is undecided on David Duckenfield. The Crown Prosecution Service says changes in the evidence of two witnesses and the death of a third meant that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. On 1 November, a juror is discharged after telling fellow jurors dickhead Duckenfield needs to die, but the judge rules that the trial can proceed. A handwritten note apparently written by Tony Blair, asks why? When asked if his "negligence" caused the disaster he told the inquest: "I wouldn't use the word negligence sir. Margaret Aspinall reacts to Mr Duckenfield's trial verdict, Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was among those who died, said: "The question I'd like to ask all of you and people within the system is who put 96 people in their graves, who is accountable?". The scrutiny goes ahead but in February 1998, Lord Justice Stuart-Smith rejects grounds for quashing the accidental death verdicts or bringing prosecutions. If things go wrong it is important that investigations explain why and ensure the situation never occurs again. "The journey that reached today's stage, and will continue, is testament to the perseverance and determination of all involved in the ongoing campaign for justice," the club said. The jury at the inquests returned a verdict of unlawful killing, reversing the 1990 ruling of accidental deaths. 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. The city of Liverpool will today remember the 96 football fans who died at Hillsborough stadium, 30 years to the day since the disaster. But the jury accepted the defence case that the 75-year-old was a target of blame who was unfairly singled out for prosecution. Three more defendants are still facing charges relating to Hillsborough: retired police officers Donald Denton, 80, and Alan Foster, 73, and police solicitor Peter Metcalf, 68, will all stand trial later this year. It also prompts calls for criminal action. Men, women and children were crushed on the Leppings Lane terrace. Abuse of process arguments for other defendants fails. Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool supporters. Following the broadcast of a television dramatisation of the Hillsborough disaster, the Home Offices Operational Policing Policy Unit writes to Michael Howard, then home secretary, saying it raises the suggestion that some of the victims were still alive at 3.30pm. "I hid myself away and could not bear the word Hillsborough", he said. " After reviewing 450,000 documents, the Hillsborough Independent Panel publishes a report highlighting police failings and the alleged campaign to blame Liverpool supporters for the disaster. He was fined 6,500 and ordered to pay 5,000. The ruling states that all the victims were dead by 3.15pm. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. Gate C, leading to the Leppings Lane terraces, is opened. Labour MP Andy Burnhams address to the 20th anniversary memorial service is interrupted by chants of Justice for the 96. Mr Duckenfield's defence counsel argued the case against him was "deeply unfair". The High Court quashes the accidental death verdicts and new inquests are ordered. After Duckenfield mentioned the contribution in the police control room of Bernard Murray, who was a superintendent but has since died, Menon asked him if he was seeking to blame other people. It was the founding myth of Hillsborough. ", Hillsborough inquests: What you need to know, 14 questions the Hillsborough jury answered, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. He was. There were shouts in the room as the verdict was announced. The new Hillsborough inquests start in Warrington, and go on to become the longest case ever heard by a British jury. He said this as schoolboys, sisters, a dad and his son were among those crushed inside pens created because they were treated like thugs rather than humans. Judge Sir Peter Openshaw rejects a defence application to ban reporting on the Hillsborough trial until the jury delivers its verdict. But an inquest is not a criminal court, and so it was for another jury to decide whether Mr Duckenfield's mistakes amounted to gross negligence manslaughter. HILLSBOROUGH DISASTER- DAVID DUCKENFIELD FOUND NOT GUILTY, David Duckenfield was in charge the day 96 Liverpool fans were killed at Hillsborough, David Duckenfield has been cleared of gross negligence manslaughter, Hillsborough football ground shown to the inquests, Police and fans on the pitch at Hillsborough football stadium in Sheffield on April 15 1989, The disaster claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans. The jury found match commander - former Ch Supt David. It is rejected by Lord Justice McCowan in the divisional court. The finding undermines the decision made by the coroner in the first inquests to limit their scope to events before 3.15pm, and not consider the chaotic medical response after that point. When Mr Duckenfield, the police officer in charge of keeping people safe at Hillsborough in 1989, attempted to apologise for the deaths of 96 people, the family members listening to his testimony gasped. 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.
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