The deaths were ruled accidental by the initial coroner’s inquests in 1991. But an independent panel revealed in 2012 details of police efforts to shift blame onto fans, leading to the findings of the first coroner’s report being quashed and the call for a new inquest.
The second coroner’s inquest concluded in 2016 that Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed as a result of gross negligence from police and emergency services. The criminal charge was then brought against Duckinfield, who was match commander on the fateful day in Sheffield, in 2017.
The jury were unable to reach a verdict at the initial trial that concluded in April 2019, prompting a retrial that began at the start of October. This time, a verdict was returned, but Duckinfield, who also faced a failed private prosecution in 2000, was found not guilty.
The case for the defence argued that Duckinfield is a target for blame and has been singled out.
Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans who died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 28, 2019
The families of the victims have been searching for justice for over 30 years. But despite the killings being ruled unlawful and criminal charges being filed, still nobody has been held accountable for the deaths of 96 innocent football supporters.
Duckinfield could only be charged over 95 of the deaths as the 96th victim, Tony Bland, died as a result of his injuries several years after the tragedy and no prosecution could be brought.
Families of the victims were present in court as the verdict was read out.
Margaret Aspinall sums up the feeling of devastated families: “How can an inquest rule that 96 people were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough yet no-one in authority is accountable for those deaths. If David Duckenfield’s not responsible, who killed my son?”
— Brian Reade (@BrianReade) November 28, 2019
“With all due respect, my lord, 96 people were found unlawfully killed to a criminal standard, I would like to know who is responsible for my father’s death because someone is,” Christine Burke, whose father Henry was among those killed, is quoted as saying by BBC.
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