The former match commander's solicitor, Ian Lewis, said: "David is of course relieved that the jury has found him not guilty, however his thoughts and sympathies remain with the families of those who lost their loved ones. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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. He said this as Dolores Steele, Barry Devonside and Trevor Hicks - all of whom lost children, all of whom gave evidence in these trials - were desperately hoping their teenagers would survive. Mr Mackrell is fined 6,500 for the offence, sparking outrage from victims relatives who called the penalty shameful. David Duckenfield, a Police Chief Superintendent, who has been accused of the death of 96 people in the tragic incident of the Hillsborough disaster, was found not guilty in charge of manslaughter. It took some tortuous legal logic to create a courtroom environment where this could be allowed to happen. He described the policing outside the Leppings Lane turnstiles, where Duckenfield accepted the South Yorkshire police lost control at 2:40pm, as non-existent or shambolic at best. The Hillsborough match commander was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter. 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. Prosecutors allege Duckenfield should have taken action to close the tunnel that led to those pens, a tactic his lawyer said he and other experienced officers were unaware of, but which the court heard had been used at Hillsborough before. Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans in the 1989 disaster. Minutes later Duckenfield ordered for that gate to be opened again. "I would like to know who is responsible for my father's death because someone is.". 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. The retired chief superintendent, 75, denied the charge relating to the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989. David Duckenfield is not a criminal, a jury has decided. 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. After delivering the verdict the judge, Sir Peter Openshaw thanked the jury before they were dismissed. 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. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Yet one thing that is crucial to remember is that today's verdict does not undo, undermine or cancel out the verdicts of those historic inquests. One of the many tragedies of the Hillsborough disaster is the first explanation for what claimed the lives of those men, women and children was a suggestion it was Liverpool supporters who were responsible. The CPS announces that a police officer and a farrier will not be prosecuted over allegations that they fabricated a story about a police horse being burnt with cigarettes at Hillsborough. Inquests into the 96 football fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster have concluded they were unlawfully killed. Home secretary Theresa May orders a new criminal investigation into the disaster, Operation Resolve. One family member shouted: "Stitched up again.". Although there were other causes, the main reason for the disaster was the failure of police control, it concludes. Lord Justice McCowan says he can see no fault in the coroner for cutting off the scope of the inquests at 3.15pm because he relied on medical evidence, and refuses to quash the verdicts. 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. Mansfield said: But this isnt what happened on this day, this wasnt fans turning up late, having got into a drunken state, was it?, Duckenfield responded: I will have to disagree., Pressed on whether he had received any information in the buildup to the match that fans turned up drunk and late, he replied: I cant recall, sir.. The decision is taken to withdraw feeding and hydration from 96th victim Tony Bland, who has remained in a persistent vegetative state since receiving his injuries at Hillsborough. It is true the same stadium exit gate he ordered to be opened at 2.52pm opened minutes earlier without his instruction. Solicitor Peter Metcalf, former chief superintendent Donald Denton and former detective chief inspector Alan Foster are all charged with perverting the course of justice. But ultimately the buck stops with me., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Read about our approach to external linking. The farriers prosecution for perverting the course of justice is found not to be in the public interest and there is insufficient evidence against the police officer. because Duckenfield was acquitted in 2019 of a charge of gross negligence manslaughter, . Answering questions from Mansfield, Duckenfield said, however, that he did believe Liverpool fans turned up late and drunk to the match, and that Merseyside police failed to tell the South Yorkshire force that Liverpool fans were in the habit of doing that. But then two years ago I had to force myself to look at matters and, as a result, I could only do so with the assistance of doctors. Tom Davidson Assistant news editor. Duckenfield retires on medical grounds, suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. ", To the families he added: "It has now dawned on me what it means to you, and I am dreadfully sorry. 91.195.53.16 That cowardly deceit set the tone for everything that followed. The city of Liverpool will today remember the 96 football fans who died at Hillsborough stadium, 30 years to the day since the disaster. The jury at Mr Duckenfield's original trial earlier this year failed to agree a verdict. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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. For a person to be found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter the prosecution has to prove that he - or she - owed a duty of care to the victim and negligently breached it. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. And 30 years means many people, especially families, have had to constantly relive their terrible experience.". david duckenfield cycling david duckenfield cycling. Sheffield Wednesday's former club secretary Graham Mackrell was found guilty of a health and safety offence in May 2019. He said he had post traumatic stress disorder, and hid myself away and could not bear the word Hillsborough after the report was published, but then said he had begun to face the truth two years ago, with the help of doctors. Match commander tells inquest that watching a documentary made him realise the effect the disaster had on the bereaved families. David Conn Tue 1 Apr 2014 16.32 EDT The South Yorkshire police officer in charge of the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough football ground, at which 96 Liverpool. Despite this, the retired officer was able to walk away last week in the face of overwhelming evidence and his own admissions. This 1992 family photo shows, from left, her son Thomas . Due to the law at the time, there can be no prosecution over the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland. David Duckenfield found not guilty over Hillsborough disaster Hillsborough: Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary fined 6,500 Sheffield Wednesday FC is also criticised for an inadequate. And yet 23 minutes later he suggested it was the supporters, some of whom were dying beneath him, who were responsible. The families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, the survivors who managed to get out of the overcrowded pens at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesdays ground, and the campaigners who have fought relentlessly for justice for decades were expecting the verdict. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. It fuels calls for a new inquiry and is later awarded a Bafta. "Everybody knew the truth, the fans and police knew the truth that we'd opened the gates," he said. Sue Hemming, the CPS director of legal services, reacts to the decision by issuing a scathing statement. Addressing the families in the court he said: It has now dawned on me what it means to you, and I am dreadfully sorry.. 0 . But his acquittal does not undo his shameful lie. Minimal treatment would have saved many of the victims. All this had been comprehensively dismissed at the inquests. It leads to a new criminal inquiry into the disaster and an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. The jury had a difficult and challenging task examining evidence going back decades and I respect their 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 . Only one ambulance made it onto the pitch; 42 remained in a queue outside. David Duckenfield, who as an inexperienced chief superintendent in the South Yorkshire police was in charge of the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, admitted he had not told the. News. The court heard the chief superintendent ordered the opening of exit gates at the Leppings Lane end of the ground at 2.52pm, eight minutes before kick-off, after the area outside the turnstiles became dangerously overcrowded. Thirty years later he remained a man who sought, via his lawyers, to do the same thing. In the eyes of the law Duckenfield is an innocent man. Evidence was put to Duckenfield, who had very limited experience of football policing before he was promoted to command the semi-final only 19 days earlier, from Colin Allen, a Merseyside policeman who went to the match as a Liverpool supporter and survived the crush. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? 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. Former Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield at Preston Crown court. And a jury of seven women and three men agreed with him when they cleared the 75-year-old of gross negligence manslaughter. Something went wrong, please try again later. Start your free trial. The new scrutiny is conducted by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith. Turnips vs. tomatoes: should salad crisis force UK shoppers back to their roots? He was asked whether he thought over the last 26 years about the bereaved families, who according to their barrister, Rajiv Menon QC waged a courageous and unrelenting campaign that culminated in 2012 with the quashing of the first inquests. The High Court rejects an application for judicial review of the inquest verdicts brought by six representative families. More than 2,000 fans entered through exit gate C once it was opened and many headed for the tunnel ahead of them, which led to the central pens where the crush happened. Weakest since 2012: UK house price average falls to 257,406. 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. At the same hearing he admitted a cocktail of errors, ultimately telling his own barrister he accepted his professional failings led to the tragic crush. 27 febrero, 2023 . The story prompts a boycott of the paper on Merseyside, still upheld by many today. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Hillsborough disaster: Timeline of the day, The overcrowding at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough, Supporters are crushed against the barrier as disaster strikes before the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, 1989, Severe overcrowding resulted in 96 Liverpool fans losing their lives, Advertising boards which were used as stretchers, are piled up following the overcrowding at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough, A young Liverpool fan sat pitch side, following the events of the Hillsborough disaster, 1989, Liverpool memorial service was attended by 3,000 people, Liverpool footballer Dalglish and his wife Marina at the memorial service in the catholic Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool, in memory of those killed in the Hillsborough disaster, 1989, Floral tributes are left by the goal at Hillsborough, April 1989, John Aldridge laying a floral tribute, Anfield, 1989, A woman being comforted as she kneels by floral tributes at the gate of the Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield, the morning after ninety six Liverpool fans died from injuries suffered in the fatal crush at the ground, Former chief superintendent David Duckenfield in 1989, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher tours Hillsborough stadium with David Duckenfield (on her left) after the Hillsborough football disaster, Fans gathering at Anfield for a ceremony of remembrance following the Hillsborough disaster on 22 April 1989, Diana Princess of Wales talks to Liverpool fan and Hillsborough survivor Ian Clarke, 16 in Sheffield Hospital, Sadness engulfs Anfield and the Kop Stand as many hundreds of thousands of tributes are laid in memory of the 96 people who died at Hillsborough Stadium on 15 April 1989 at the FA Cup Semi Final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool Manager Kenny Dalglish watches in anguish as dead and injured Liverpool fans are carried away in ambulances (Getty Images), Supporters pay their respects after the Hillsborough disaster at Anfield in Liverpool, 1989, People help soccer fans at Hillsborough stadium after support railings collapsed during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham forest, Policemen rescue soccer fans at Hillsborough stadium after support railings collapsed during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham forest, Court shows layout of stadium in David Duckenfield's Hillsborough trial, Tony Bland was left severely brain-damaged following the Hillsborough football disaster in 1989, Cherie Blair looks on as her husband addresses the nation as prime minister in 1997, Labour culture minister Andy Burnham was reduced to mute nodding when his speech was drowned out by a chant of 'Justice for the 96', Relatives react after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Relatives of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster celebrate outside the Hillsborough Inquest in Warrington, Margaret Aspinall holds a banner after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, Relatives of the Hillsborough sing 'You'll never walk alone' as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest, Relatives of Hillsborough victims show their emotions as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest, Relatives of Hillsborough victims hug as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest in Warrington, Margaret Aspinall (C), whose son James died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, makes a statement following the conclusion of the inquest into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, Relatives sing "You'll never walk alone" after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, Relatives of Hillsborough victims hold up banners as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest, Donna Miller (R), sister of Hillsborough victim Paul Carlile holds up a banner as relatives depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest in Warrington, David Duckenfield, match-day police commander at the Hillsborough football stadium disaster, arrives at court in Preston for his first trial in January, Retrial follows two sets of inquests, private prosecutions and civil proceedings over the disaster, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, How Hillsborough prosecution case against David Duckenfield fell apart, David Duckenfield found not guilty over Hillsborough disaster, Hillsborough: Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary fined 6,500, Hillsborough families react to inquest conclusions, Timeline of Hillsborough families 30-year battle for justice. Lord Justice Peter Taylors interim report into the tragedy puts the blame on South Yorkshire Police. Amid growing calls for transparency, the Hillsborough Independent Panel is set up. The prosecution argued that, back then, Duckenfield was looking to shift blame. Men, women and children were crushed on the Leppings Lane terrace. ", "It is important to remember that criminal proceedings have a very different purpose to an inquest.". 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. In February 2000, both officers appeal to the Divisional Court but fail and the trial is held in Leeds between 6 June and 24 July 2000. David Duckenfield can finally rest easily. Benjamin Myers QC told the jury his client had become "the focus of blame". 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. "Over this period, I have had to come to terms with reality, and that is why, over the period, you might say I dug my head in the sand, didn't admit things to myself, but 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. 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. He said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those people safe - had ordered for exit gates to be opened. "I hid myself away and could not bear the word Hillsborough", he said. " This halts disciplinary proceedings being brought by the Police Complaints Authority. The new Hillsborough inquests start in Warrington, and go on to become the longest case ever heard by a British jury. Paul Robinson, whose brother Steven was killed in the stadium crush, said: "As a family we would like to thank all those who have supported us over the years in our quest for justice and accountability. A judge lifts the historic stay of further prosecution on Mr Duckenfield, allowing new proceedings to go ahead. D avid Duckenfield can finally rest easily. 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. The scrutiny goes ahead but in February 1998, Lord Justice Stuart-Smith rejects grounds for quashing the accidental death verdicts or bringing prosecutions. Mr Duckenfield said that, in the pressure of the day, he froze and did not consider the consequences of his actions. Sheffield Wednesday FC is also criticised for an inadequate number of turnstiles at the Leppings Lane entrance and the poor quality of crush barriers on the terraces, some of which collapsed during the disaster. For this to happen, there needs to be accountability. ", Clive Coleman, BBC legal affairs correspondent. The verdict defies logic. The trial of Mr Duckenfield and Mr Mackrell starts at Preston Crown Court. Mr Murray is acquitted and the jury is undecided on David Duckenfield. The FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest ends in tragedy as a crush at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesdays Hillsborough stadium leads to the death of 96 Liverpool fans, with more than 750 people injured. It also prompts calls for criminal action. No one should have to suffer the emotional damage that comes with such a burden. Application for a retrial is refused. The acquittal of David Duckenfield is the latest twist in the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years. DeSantis won't say he's running. He didn't breach his duty, he did what he was expected to do in difficult circumstances.". The Taylor Report causes UK-wide changes to football stadiums, seeing fencing removed and standing terraces converted to seating areas at large venues. The court was played audio of the retired chief superintendent giving evidence to inquests in 2015. Sir Peter Openshaw, the judge, told the jury that the inquests findings which were not discussed in court were quite irrelevant. Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher, 18, died in the disaster, said: "I'm shocked and stunned by the verdict of the jury. There were gasps in court as the seven women and three men on the jury returned the verdict, following 13 hours and 43 minutes of discussions. The former South Yorkshire Police chief. There are renewed calls for a fresh inquest or public inquiry. Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie apologises for the papers 1989 front page. Former Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, arriving at Preston Crown court for the start of his retrial for the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 Liverpool supporters at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final. Former superintendent Roger Marshall agreed match. Hillsboroughs final victim, 22-year-old Tony Bland, dies after being taken off life support, pushing the death toll up to 96. Meanwhile, the families of six victims appeal for a judicial review application to quash the inquest verdict. 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. For one teacher, it was a life well-lived. He agreed with Michael Mansfield QC, representing 75 families whose relatives were killed in the lethal crush, that he was practising and persisted in a far-reaching deceit on the day, by lying to Football Association and football club officials about his actions. Tony Evans is a journalist and former football editor of the Times. [1] This resulted in overcrowding of those pens and the crush. Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans in the 1989 disaster. The Crown Prosecution Service announces that six people are to be charged with offences in relation to the disaster Mr Duckenfield is charged with manslaughter and former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell for health and safety offences. Duckenfields acquittal underlines that no one has been held responsible for Hillsborough. As the families continue to campaign, ITV screens a drama about the disaster written by Jimmy McGovern. 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. Relatives and friends of the victims were gathered at the Cunard Building on Liverpool's waterfront when the verdict was announced. Many of the bereaved family members, including mothers whose children were killed in the disaster, were crying as Duckenfield spoke. The retired chief . The inquest jury finds that Hillsboroughs 96 victims were unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans were not responsible for the disaster. The passage of 30 years has presented challenges for everyone involved in the legal process, prosecution and defence. Mr Duckenfield, of Ferndown, Dorset, was cleared after a seven-week retrial at Preston Crown Court. Gate C, leading to the Leppings Lane terraces, is opened. 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. 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. At a press conference Margaret Aspinall, the chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: I am ashamed of the system in this country that is not holding anyone responsible for the deaths of 96 people.. Judith Moritz, BBC North of England correspondent. 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. Duckenfield did not give evidence in the trial as the court heard he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The court heard he had ordered the opening of exit gates at the Leppings Lane end of the ground at 14:52 BST on 15 April 1989 - eight minutes before kick-off, after the area outside the turnstiles became dangerously overcrowded. Review application to quash the inquest jury finds that hillsboroughs 96 victims were killed. Myers QC told the jury is undecided on David Duckenfield being brought by six representative families the latest in! Duckenfield, of Ferndown, Dorset, was cleared after a seven-week retrial Preston. Acquittal underlines that no one should have to suffer the emotional damage that with. Bringing prosecutions are renewed calls for a judicial review application to quash the inquest finds..., in the 1989 disaster teacher, it was a life well-lived circumstances. `` Duckenfield. 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