The Way this Trial of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and significant – occasions throughout multiple decades of unrest in this area.

In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the walls and embedded in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was organized on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of internment – detaining individuals without trial – which had been implemented after multiple years of violence.

Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became particularly iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood fabric in his effort to shield a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators recorded considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts contains Father Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

That version of events was rejected by the initial investigation.

The first investigation concluded the soldiers had been shot at first.

During the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that overall, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

The then head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the government chamber – saying deaths were "unjustified and inexcusable."

The police started to investigate the events.

A military veteran, identified as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.

Accusations were made over the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder several people, other civilians, further individuals, another person, and an unknown person.

Exists a legal order maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He told the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was disputed in the official findings.

Information from the inquiry could not be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight behind a protective barrier.

He spoke for the opening instance in the hearing at a session in that month, to respond "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Kin of the deceased on that day made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they were aware that attending the proceedings would be emotional.

"I can see all details in my recollection," he said, as we visited the main locations referenced in the trial – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney 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 relived each detail during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding enduring the process – it's still valuable for me."