"With all due respect, my lord, 96 people were found unlawfully killed to a criminal standard," she said. If things go wrong it is important that investigations explain why and ensure the situation never occurs again. 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. The matchday commander at Hillsborough was. 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. Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans in the 1989 disaster. Match commander Ch Supt David Duckenfield had ordered for an exit gate at the stadium to be opened, by the Leppings Lane turnstiles. 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. Duckenfield, a retired chief superintendent, 75, denied the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool supporters at the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989. The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) find there is sufficient evidence to charge them with neglect of duty but Mr Duckenfield is on sick leave during the process, and retires on medical grounds in November 1991. He had no experience managing soccer matches, let alone an FA Cup semi-final. Supporters were not responsible for what happened. 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. Sir, I am the man in overall control, he replied. Mr Duckenfield did not dispute that he ordered the opening of a gate at Hillsborough to let fans in, or that he failed to close the tunnel to the terraces which were already full. As fans were dying he suggested they were responsible for the crush that was a consequence of his decision. Tony Evans is a journalist and former football editor of the Times. 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. Duckenfield then lied and told FA executives that fans had broken in to the stadium. Allan Green, the director of public prosecutions, finds there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against any individual, group or corporate body. The Crown Prosecution Service decides that following consideration of all the evidence and documentation, there is no evidence to justify any criminal proceedings against South Yorkshire Police officers, Sheffield Wednesday FC, Sheffield City Council or Eastwoods the structural engineering firm that designed the pens. "I am really angry but I am trying be calm for these families who have suffered," she said. The Week is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Something went wrong, please try again later. Jurors hear how a PCs account of the disaster was changed to remove criticisms of police, but notes about drunk fans were kept in. The report also accuses police chief David Duckenfield, who was responsible for the match, of blunders of the first magnitude. The crown's case was that the Chief Superintendent's failings were so extraordinary that they met that test. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. It may sound like a clich to say lessons must be learnt, but todays verdict means this has never been more relevant or important. Gate C, leading to the Leppings Lane terraces, is opened. He told the court: "We say David Duckenfield did do what he was expected to do as match commander. The jury at the inquests returned a verdict of unlawful killing, reversing the 1990 ruling of accidental deaths. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. What is wrong is that it has taken 30 years to get to this point. The matchday commander at Hillsborough was found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter charges pertaining to his role in the football disaster 30 years ago. "Thirty 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. David Duckenfield had been appointed Chief Superintendent of the South Yorkshire Police just 19 days before the disaster. The acquittal was not a shock. High Court judge Lord Goldring chairs the new inquests in Warrington, which last more than two years and becomes the longest jury case in British legal history. 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 former chief superintendent of South Yorkshire police, David Duckenfield, leaves after giving evidence to the Hillsborough inquest in Warrington. 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. 2.48pm: One of those gates, Gate C, is opened. They were even more appalled when Openshaw called the defendant a poor chap after Duckenfield was forced to go to hospital with a suspected chest infection. He was fined 6,500 and ordered to pay 5,000. The jury was shown pictures of fans in the Leppings Lane end of the stadium as the disaster unfolded, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. The trial against retired Ch Supt Donald Denton, 83, retired Det Ch Insp Alan Foster, 74, and former solicitor Peter Metcalf, 71, collapses. After the verdict a CPS statement said that the decision of the jury does not affect the findings in the inquest which ruled the victims of the tragedy were unlawfully killed. The prosecution alleged Mr Duckenfield had a "personal responsibility" for what happened at the match. The scrutiny goes ahead but in February 1998, Lord Justice Stuart-Smith rejects grounds for quashing the accidental death verdicts or bringing prosecutions. It is rejected by Lord Justice McCowan in the divisional court. 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.. England and Wales company registration number 2008885, Subscribe to TheWeek. The inquest jury concludes that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans behaviour did not contribute to the crush. A judge lifts the historic stay of further prosecution on Mr Duckenfield, allowing new proceedings to go ahead. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. "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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The trial of Mr Duckenfield and Mr Mackrell starts at Preston Crown Court. What has been heard here in this court will have been surprising to many, she said. There are renewed calls for a fresh inquest or public inquiry. The stories of personal loss and individual pain have too often been overlooked. The retired chief . 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. PC Maxwell Groome was on duty for the match at Sheffield Wednesdays stadium. The citys council cancelled a planned outdoor commemoration event and instead will light 96 lanterns on the steps of St Georges Hall. All you need to know about everything that matters. 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. He also rejects a prosecution application to prevent tweeting from court, sharing articles on social media or embedding video into news articles. The prosecution of Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield was "breathtakingly unfair" as he was made to take the blame for others, a jury has heard. When all Hillsborough legal proceedings are concluded we should, as a society, take time to consider these matters and learn lessons. Many of the bereaved family members, including mothers whose children were killed in the disaster, were crying as Duckenfield spoke. Mr Duckenfield, of Ferndown, Dorset, was cleared after a seven-week retrial at Preston Crown Court. Sue Hemming, the CPS director of legal services, reacts to the decision by issuing a scathing statement. Match commander tells inquest that watching a documentary made him realise the effect the disaster had on the bereaved families. The new Hillsborough inquests start in Warrington, and go on to become the longest case ever heard by a British jury. announcement by Labour minister Andy Burnham, Hillsborough Independent Panel publishes a report, Theresa May orders a new criminal investigation, The inquest jury concludes that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed. Duckenfield added that he had no idea what motivated him to blame other people for his mistakes. Christine Burke tearfully spoke from the gallery after the verdict was delivered and said that the 96 were unlawfully killed and she wants to know who is responsible, reports the Liverpool Echo. Amid growing calls for transparency, the Hillsborough Independent Panel is set up. He admitted that until his evidence this week at these new inquests, he had not confessed to the series of mistakes he has now admitted. 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. The findings heavily criticise the police operation, stadium layout and design, and local ambulance service. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. Men, women and children were crushed on the Leppings Lane terrace. 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.. Why should anyone care about Hillsborough? There has been barely any for those who were mindbogglingly inept at Hillsborough. 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. Ms Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, thanked those who had supported the families over the past 31 years. What is the point?. He said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those people safe - had ordered for exit gates to be opened. 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. News. Read about our approach to external linking. acquit Mr Duckenfield of gross negligence manslaughter, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off and extra perks with Booking.com Genius membership, Extra 25% off kitchen appliances using this AO discount code, 35 off 1st orders with this Soak & Sleep voucher code & orders 100+, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK February 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this February, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. One called out in court I dont want your apology and several walked out. 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. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, 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. 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. It leads to a new criminal inquiry into the disaster and an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. lifts the historic stay of further prosecution on Mr Duckenfield, fails to reach a verdict on the charges against Mr Duckenfield. The High Court quashes the accidental death verdicts and new inquests are ordered. 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. Recipe: Ayurvedic Jewish penicillin by Dr Rupy Aujla, Sunaks Brexit deal explained in five points, Messi vs. Ronaldo: all-time goals and statistics. At 2.48pm Gate C was opened - also by police in the area - sparking a comment from an officer alongside Duckenfield that fans had stormed the ground. For all that time, the families of those who died, and the survivors of the crush, have campaigned for justice and accountability. And it was David Duckenfield who gave this impression. 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. He said this as. Duckenfield retires on medical grounds, suffering from depression and 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. The inquest heard Mr Duckenfield testify he was struggling to sleep in the run-up to the 1989 Taylor Inquiry, and claimed to be drinking "half tumblers of whisky" to "find the courage" to read statements. 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. Abuse of process arguments for other defendants fails. 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. 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. 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. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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. All rights reserved. Former Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield at Preston Crown court. 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 the jury accepted the defence case that the 75-year-old was a target of blame who was unfairly singled out for prosecution. Shortly before kick-off, in an attempt to ease overcrowding outside the entrance turnstiles, the police match commander, David Duckenfield, ordered exit gate C to be opened, leading to an influx of supporters entering the pens. It was closed after 26 seconds and around 150 supporters are believed to have entered. Mr Murray is acquitted and the jury is undecided on David Duckenfield. The jury fails to reach a verdict on Duckenfield. Meanwhile, the families of six victims appeal for a judicial review application to quash the inquest verdict. The former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent, 75, was in charge of the FA Cup semi-final in which 96 fans were fatally injured. Former superintendent Roger Marshall agreed match. The acquittal of David Duckenfield is the latest twist in the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years. Duckenfield had agreed earlier that he had not acted as a reasonably competent match commander on the day, due to the mistakes he made. 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". But ultimately the buck stops with me., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. He said he would regret them to his dying day. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Visit our corporate site www.futureplc.com Future Publishing Limited, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. 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. When asked if his "negligence" caused the disaster he told the inquest: "I wouldn't use the word negligence sir. "We, the families, have fought for 30 years valiantly.". The Independent Police Complaints Commission launches an investigation into an alleged cover-up by officers in the aftermath of the disaster. 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. 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