A former soldier will face trial over two murders on Bloody Sunday – after his bid to have the case against him thrown out was refused.
The man, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters in Londonderry in January 1972.
Known as Soldier F in court, the former paratrooper is also charged with five attempted murders. He pleaded not guilty to each of the seven counts as they were read to him during his arraignment inside Belfast Crown Court yesterday.
The veteran sat in the witness box, with a thick, floor-to-ceiling blue curtain shielding him to protect his anonymity. Relatives of Bloody Sunday victims watched from the public gallery.
James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were murdered in January 1972
Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney, speaks to the media outside Belfast Crown Court, where Soldier F has pleased not guilty to murdering James Wray and William McKinney
The arraignment took place after a defence application to have the case dismissed ahead of trial was refused by judge Mr Justice Fowler.
In June, Soldier F’s barrister made the ‘no bill’ application, arguing there was an ‘insufficiency of evidence’ against him.
In response, the prosecution insisted Soldier F was part of a group of paratroopers that entered Glenfada Park North in the Bogside area of Derry and opened fire on ‘unarmed civilians’ running away from them, with each soldier allegedly firing with an intention to kill.
Delivering his ruling, Mr Justice Fowler said a trial could take place ‘early next year’.
