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. When all Hillsborough legal proceedings are concluded we should, as a society, take time to consider these matters and learn lessons. Tony Evans is a journalist and former football editor of the Times. Benjamin Myers QC, defending Duckenfield, told the jury he had been a "target of blame" for the disaster. 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. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Reaction as David Duckenfield is cleared of manslaughter, argued the case against him was "deeply unfair", Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Beer and wine sales in Canada fall to all-time low, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US. He told the court: "We say David Duckenfield did do what he was expected to do as match commander. A police doctor certified him as "unfit to undertake the duties of a police constable" and diagnosed him with "severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder". Former Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield at Preston Crown court. Crucially, the panel finds that 41 victims did not have signs of the crush injuries originally claimed by pathologists, and so may have been saved. The inquest blames police decisions and the layout of the stadium for the deaths. 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. 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. The retired chief superintendent, 75, denied the charge relating to the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989. 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. 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. 2.17pm: Superintendent Roger Marshall requests for Leppings Lane to be closed to traffic. Hennesseys daughter Charlotte, who was six at the time of the disaster, has had the course of her existence changed. Relatives and friends of the victims were gathered at the Cunard Building on Liverpool's waterfront when the verdict was announced. Lord Justice Taylor concludes that the most fans were not drunk, nor even the worse for drink and highlights contributing factors including opening exit gates to allow fans into the ground and failing to delay kick-off. 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. Mr Duckenfield said he felt the diagnosis was a "sign of weakness" and tried to "conceal" his conditions from family and colleagues but the publication of the report by the Hillsborough Independent Panel in 2012 and a TV programme he had seen about the disaster's effect on the families prompted him to finally tell the truth. The acquittal of David Duckenfield is the latest twist in the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years. It was a catastrophic and deadly error. Attorney general Dominic Grieve had made an application based on the Hillsborough Independent Panels report. 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. 0 . A jury found the former South. Mackrell, who sought in his defence to blame Liverpool supporters for the dangerous congestion that developed at the turnstiles, will be sentenced on 13 May. The verdict defies logic. "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. 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. Your IP: Around 2,000 fans enter, many heading down a central tunnel and into already busy terrace pens, leading to the tragic crush. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 30 years means evidence has been corroded and some people and organisations cannot answer for their actions because they are no longer with us. What's he waiting for? Mr Duckenfield, of Ferndown, Dorset, was cleared after a seven-week retrial at Preston Crown Court. 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 anniversary comes 12 days after a jury at Preston Crown Court failed to reach a verdict on the prosecution of the match commander, Ch Supt David Duckenfield, who was accused of gross negligence manslaughter, reports The Guardian. david duckenfield cycling david duckenfield cycling. 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. 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. The Crown Prosecution Service has said it will seek a retrial, which Duckenfield is expected to oppose, at a hearing scheduled for 24 June. Wed 1 Mar 2023 12.40 . Minimal treatment would have saved many of the victims. Asked by Mansfield why he had chosen to remain silent for 26 years, Duckenfield said that he had been prompted to finally tell the whole truth after the publication of the report by the Hillsborough Independent Panel in 2012 and a television programme he had seen about the disasters effect on the families. That should never have happened, and we will continue to learn the . He had originally been accused of the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 Liverpool fans, but denied all the charges. The agony of the families of the dead is unimaginable. Duckenfield then lied and told FA executives that fans had broken in to the stadium. About 45 family members watched the verdict from the Cunard building in Liverpool, where the trial was screened. DeSantis won't say he's running. He was. The inquest jury concludes that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans behaviour did not contribute to the crush. Up to 41 of the dead might have survived had they been given oxygen. It was the founding myth of Hillsborough. 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. It fuels calls for a new inquiry and is later awarded a Bafta. Weakest since 2012: UK house price average falls to 257,406. 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. The trial against retired Ch Supt Donald Denton, 83, retired Det Ch Insp Alan Foster, 74, and former solicitor Peter Metcalf, 71, collapses. Supporters were not responsible for what happened. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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?". David Duckenfield can finally rest easily. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. D avid Duckenfield can finally rest easily. The funnel-shaped nature of the area meant that the congestion was hard to escape for those at the front, says the BBC. A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the verdict did not affect the findings of the Hillsborough inquests, which ruled the victims had been unlawfully killed. 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. He was fined 6,500 and ordered to pay 5,000. 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 former chief superintendent of South Yorkshire police, David Duckenfield, leaves after giving evidence to the Hillsborough inquest in Warrington. 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 new Labour government orders a review of the evidence by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. It may sound like a clich to say lessons must be learnt, but todays verdict means this has never been more relevant or important. Meanwhile, the families of six victims appeal for a judicial review application to quash the inquest verdict. Those systems failed on 15 April, 1989, and no one will ever take responsibility for that failure. By this point he had not even told his boss, the on-call Assistant Chief Constable Walter Jackson, of his order for gates to be opened. If things go wrong it is important that investigations explain why and ensure the situation never occurs again. But his acquittal does not undo his shameful lie. Duckenfields ordeal ended at Preston crown court on Thursday. During days of intense questioning at the inquests in March 2015, he admitted that he had lied about mistakes he made on the day and had kept that lie going for 26 years and through several legal inquiries. Although there were other causes, the main reason for the disaster was the failure of police control, it concludes. In the eyes of the law Duckenfield is an innocent man. Duckenfield added that he had no idea what motivated him to blame other people for his mistakes. But this influx caused further crushing inside the stadium, with fans at the front attempting to climb onto the pitch to safety. The 96 Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed at Hillsborough. That a publicly funded authority can lawfully withhold information from a public inquiry charged with finding out why 96 people died at a football match, in order to ensure that it never happened again or that a solicitor can advise such a withholding, without sanction of any sort, may be a matter which should be subject to scrutiny.. Tom Davidson Assistant news editor. Unlike Duckenfield, the families, survivors and those affected by Hillsborough cannot sleep easy. The prosecution in the case alleged Duckenfield, 75, had a 'personal responsibility' for what happened at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, when 96 people were fatally injured . The former South Yorkshire Police chief. By November 1991, he was medically retired from South Yorkshire Police on a full pension, two years after being suspended from duty. Duckenfield retires on medical grounds, suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Evelyn Newman Duckenfield, center, died at age 81 of covid-19 on Jan 25. The death of two witnesses and contradictions in the evidence of others is cited as part of the reason for the decision. Matt Hancock and the Lockdown Files: whats happening with the Covid inquiry? Inquests open in Sheffield, heard by the local coroner, and South Yorkshire Police renews its argument that drunk supporters who arrived late and without tickets contributed to the disaster. 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. By 2.45pm, thousands of people were pressing into the turnstiles and alongside a large exit gate. 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. That sets the bar very high for the prosecution. What is wrong is that it has taken 30 years to get to this point. The jury at the inquests returned a verdict of unlawful killing, reversing the 1990 ruling of accidental deaths. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He admitted everything at the 2015 inquests into the disaster, saying that his professional failings led to the deaths of 96 innocent men, women and children. Debate about Hillsborough should not be about football or the city of Liverpool; this is a matter of civic safety that has implications for everyone in British society. Judge Sir Peter Openshaw also told jurors the condition could explain Duckenfield's lack of reaction as he sat in the well of the court throughout the trial. 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. 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. And 30 years means many people, especially families, have had to constantly relive their terrible experience.". "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. Due to the law at the time, there can be no prosecution over the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland. The former police chief was barely seen or heard of in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. After delivering the verdict the judge, Sir Peter Openshaw thanked the jury before they were dismissed. David Duckenfield, who was the chief superintendent in charge of the game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, told FA officials at 3.15pm that "a gate had been forced and there had been an. The prosecution argued that, back then, Duckenfield was looking to shift blame. 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. Sue Hemming, the CPS director of legal services, reacts to the decision by issuing a scathing statement. The matchday commander at Hillsborough was. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US. "I think it's fair to say that it is arguably one of the biggest regrets of my life, that I did not foresee where fans would go when they came in through the gates," he said. David Duckenfield had been appointed Chief Superintendent of the South Yorkshire Police just 19 days before the disaster. 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 . Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool supporters. Mistake. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Recipe: Ayurvedic Jewish penicillin by Dr Rupy Aujla, Sunaks Brexit deal explained in five points, Messi vs. Ronaldo: all-time goals and statistics. 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. The jury found match commander - former Ch Supt David. 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. They live with the misery every day. 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. And yet 23 minutes later he suggested it was the supporters, some of whom were dying beneath him, who were responsible. And 30 years means many people, especially families, have had to constantly relive their terrible experience. Duckenfield stood trial earlier this year but the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict and a retrial was ordered. Jury fails to reach a verdict on the charges against Mr Duckenfield, but convicts Mr Mackrell of a health and safety offence. Addressing the families in the court he said: It has now dawned on me what it means to you, and I am dreadfully sorry.. In July 2000, Murray is acquitted after a six-week trial. The match commander on the day, David Duckenfield, was cleared of gross. There has been barely any for those who were mindbogglingly inept at Hillsborough. For this to happen, there needs to be accountability. There were shouts in the room as the verdict was announced. Sir Norman Bettison, the former police chief constable accused of blaming fans for the disaster, has all four criminal charges against him dropped. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 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. The ruling states that all the victims were dead by 3.15pm. It was David Duckenfield, Preston Crown Court heard, who told FA chiefs fans had gained entry through a "forced" stadium gate before the crush on the terraces beyond. He said he would regret them to his dying day. 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. 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. The matchday commander at Hillsborough was found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter charges pertaining to his role in the football disaster 30. 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. 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. david duckenfield cycling. The following March, a Home Office meeting consideres material submitted by the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) calling for a new inquiry but advice to the attorney general says the 3.15pm cut-off had been fully justifiable. As fans were dying he suggested they were responsible for the crush that was a consequence of his decision. 2023 BBC. Medical assistance at Hillsborough was woefully inadequate. Read about our approach to external linking. One called out in court I dont want your apology and several walked out. "I would like to know who is responsible for my father's death because someone is.". 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. David Duckenfield is not a criminal, a jury has decided. The jury at Mr Duckenfield's original trial earlier this year failed to agree a verdict. 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