Soldier F on trial for Bloody Sunday killings in Derry

A former British paratrooper known only as Soldier F went on trial on Monday at Belfast Crown Court accused of murdering two men and attempting to murder five others during the Bloody Sunday shootings in Derry on January 30, 1972. The nonjury trial, before Judge Patrick Lynch, centers on the deaths of James Wray and William McKinney and alleged attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, Patrick O'Donnell and an unknown person during an operation in the Bogside area of the city.

Prosecutors opened the case by saying the trial will focus narrowly on shootings in a residential courtyard in Glenfada Park North. Louis Mably KC told the court the defendant was part of a small group of soldiers who moved from Rossville Street into the courtyard where unarmed civilians were trying to flee. The Crown alleges soldiers acting together opened fire with self loading rifles on people running away, causing the two deaths and wounding others. The prosecution described the shootings as unjustified, unnecessary and gratuitous and said some victims were struck in the side or back.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges. He is being shielded from public view in...