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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He also rejects a prosecution application to prevent tweeting from court, sharing articles on social media or embedding video into news articles. 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. Duckenfields ordeal ended at Preston crown court on Thursday. What's he waiting for? Several people whose family members died at Hillsborough in 1989 walked out of the new inquests into the disaster as the former policeman who commanded the FA Cup semi-final tried to explain why he had not told the truth for 26 years, and apologised again to them. 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. All rights reserved. PC Maxwell Groome was on duty for the match at Sheffield Wednesdays stadium. The prosecution argued that, back then, Duckenfield was looking to shift blame. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. 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. He said: "He has a resilient, passive and expressionless external presentation which gives no indication of his state of mind so don't draw an adverse inference against him.". asked if this was a "ploy" and a step to "sever the link between the opening of the gate and what . 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. because Duckenfield was acquitted in 2019 of a charge of gross negligence manslaughter, . Members of the public make 17 complaints that are considered for disciplinary action, which is recommended for David Duckenfield and Bernard Murray, who was ground commander on the day. Duckenfield said he had watched a video about the disaster, including footage of a mother having to cuddle her dead child on the dirty floor of the Hillsborough gymnasium, which the police used as a mortuary that day. Mr Murray is acquitted and the jury is undecided on David Duckenfield. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. Match commander Ch Supt David Duckenfield had ordered for an exit gate at the stadium to be opened, by the Leppings Lane turnstiles. Addressing the families in the court he said: It has now dawned on me what it means to you, and I am dreadfully sorry.. Expert policing witness Douglas Hopkins said this was a potential warning sign. 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. When all Hillsborough legal proceedings are concluded we should, as a society, take time to consider these matters and learn lessons. He also admitted to a "terrible lie". The turnstiles became difficult to operate and people were starting to be crushed. "I would like to know who is responsible for my father's death because someone is.". 30 years means evidence has been corroded and some people and organisations cannot answer for their actions because they are no longer with us. "We, the families, have fought for 30 years valiantly.". "He understands the public interest in this case, but would ask that his privacy and that of his family is respected, and will not be commenting further. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. This is because he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused. 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. The defendant's conduct must fall so far below the standard to be expected of a reasonably competent and careful person in the defendant's position, that it was something truly, exceptionally bad. He said footage of a mother having to cuddle her dead child on the dirty floor of the Hillsborough gymnasium was the most moving thing he had ever seen, and that it had shown him "what it means to a mother to lose a loved one". Wed 1 Mar 2023 12.40 . Due to the law at the time, there can be no prosecution over the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland. david duckenfield cycling david duckenfield cycling. Mr Duckenfield, now 71, had claimed that after a large crowd built up outside the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium, Liverpool fans had broken in, causing a rush of people to flood into the fenced-in terraces. The matchday commander at Hillsborough was. Due to the ongoing proceedings relating to Duckenfield, and a forthcoming trial of two former South Yorkshire police officers and the forces then solicitor on charges of perverting the course of justice, the 30-year memorial ceremonies will be muted. One called out in court I dont want your apology and several walked out. England and Wales company registration number 2008885, Subscribe to TheWeek. After reviewing 450,000 documents, the Hillsborough Independent Panel publishes a report highlighting police failings and the alleged campaign to blame Liverpool supporters for the disaster. So ashamed, embarrassed, distressed that at a later boardroom meeting of officials he failed to correct his lie - with one inquest witness claiming he actually repeated it. 0 . Read about our approach to external linking. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. The report also accuses police chief David Duckenfield, who was responsible for the match, of blunders of the first magnitude. For all that time, the families of those who died, and the survivors of the crush, have campaigned for justice and accountability. 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 acquittal was not a shock. The jury at Mr Duckenfield's original trial earlier this year failed to agree a verdict. Sheffield Wednesday FC is also criticised for an inadequate number of turnstiles at the Leppings Lane entrance and the poor quality of crush barriers on the terraces, some of which collapsed during the disaster. Duckenfield added that he had no idea what motivated him to blame other people for his mistakes. The story prompts a boycott of the paper on Merseyside, still upheld by many today. He said this as schoolboys, sisters, a dad and his son were among those crushed inside pens created because they were treated like thugs rather than humans. Jimmy Hennessey, a 29-year-old, had negligible medical attention and was placed in a body bag while still alive. 91.195.53.16 But the jury accepted the defence case that the 75-year-old was a target of blame who was unfairly singled out for prosecution. Mr Duckenfields retrial starts at Preston Crown Court. Evelyn Newman Duckenfield, center, died at age 81 of covid-19 on Jan 25. The inquest jury concludes that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans behaviour did not contribute to the crush. 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.. The acquittal of David Duckenfield is the latest twist in the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years. 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 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. The jury found match commander - former Ch Supt David Duckenfield - "responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence" due to a breach of his duty of care. The former match commander's solicitor, Ian Lewis, said: "David is of course relieved that the jury has found him not guilty, however his thoughts and sympathies remain with the families of those who lost their loved ones. 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. The Crown Prosecution Service has said it will seek a retrial, which Duckenfield is expected to oppose, at a hearing scheduled for 24 June. 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. He said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those people safe - had ordered for exit gates to be opened. 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. Bereaved families are angered that the inquests cannot consider the emergency response after that point, and an accidental death verdict is returned on 26 March 1991. 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 now very much older, very much wiser and very much more understanding of the events of the day and have decided to tell the whole truth, Duckenfield said. He was fined 6,500 and ordered to pay 5,000. Ben Myers QC made the claim in his. It was the founding myth of Hillsborough. 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. 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 . Turnips vs. tomatoes: should salad crisis force UK shoppers back to their roots? Hillsborough tragedy: Why you still need to be careful online, David Duckenfield not guilty of criminal failings at Hillsborough, jurors rule, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon in custody as baby remains found, Officers found the remains of a baby on Wednesday afternoon, Child taken to hospital after crash with car, Police are appealing for information following the incident, Lotto RESULTS: Winning National Lottery numbers on Wednesday, March 1, Dealer told police 'I'm f***ed and I'm going to jail' when they raided his house, Man stored thousands of pounds of heroin and crack for "intimidating individual with violent reputation", Jet2 warning to anyone flying to Spain in next two months, It will impact customers flying to Spain before April 13, Sleep expert shares exact time children should go to bed, The Happy Sleep Coach believes she has it nailed for children between nine months and seven years old, 11 things we learnt at an explosive Liverpool Council budget meeting, It was the biggest night of the year in the town hall for a meeting packed with rows, anger and crucial moments, New Wirral finance chief criticises 'cultural issue' on payments, This comes as a new finance system is expected to go live in April, Council tax hike signed off amid fiery Liverpool Council meeting, Residents across the city face paying almost 5% more, Cost of Living update as people urged to apply for energy bills discount, Hundreds of thousands of people are eligible to apply for a huge energy bills discount, Liverpool vs Wolves LIVE - final score, goals, highlights and Jurgen Klopp reaction, Live team news, line-ups, TV channel, commentary stream, latest score and goals from Anfield as Liverpool face Wolves in the Premier League, Tesco shoppers adore 'super flattering' F&F Clothing cream dress worn by Frankie Bridge on Instagram, One shopper said: Its such a gorgeous dress, Arsenal vs Everton - final score, goals and highlights, Live team news, line-ups, TV channel, commentary stream, latest score and goals from the Emirates Stadium as Everton face Arsenal in the Premier League, Liverpool seal dramatic win as Luis Diaz's brother misses penalty and brawl erupts, Liverpool U19s are through to the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals where they will meet Sporting, What Jurgen Klopp did to the Kop at full-time speaks volumes after Liverpool beat Wolves, Liverpool match verdict from Paul Gorst after 2-0 win over Wolves at Anfield, What Arsenal fans sang to Sean Dyche makes brutal Everton truth clear, The Joe Thomas verdict as Everton's Premier League relegation fears heighten following a 4-0 collapse at leaders Arsenal, Virgil van Dijk unlocks dream Liverpool partnership as two major issues dismissed, Liverpool talking point from Ian Doyle as Virgil van Dijk helps his side to 2-0 victory over Wolves, Liverpool next six Premier League fixtures compared to Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, Liverpool claimed a 2-0 win over Wolves in the Premier League to move a step closer to the top four places and close the gap on Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle, Remains found in search for baby of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, 19 lost Merseyside schools that have been reduced to rubble, Barmaid 'permanently disfigured' after woman bit her ear off in pub, Faces of legendary lollipop men and women loved on Merseyside, These images have been tucked away in the archives for years, New faces on the streets as Liverpool rough sleeper numbers hit record high, Charity says situation "unravelling" as more are pushed into crisis, Liverpool City Council names new chief executive, Andrew Lewis will join the council from Cheshire West and Chester, Neighbours evacuated as fire breaks out in Birkenhead laundrette, Four firefighters entered the smoking building and evacuated the flats above, 'Lovely' teacher died after gastric band surgery in Turkey, Lois Brown was described as a "lovely woman with the biggest heart". The jury accepted the defence case that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans behaviour did contribute., died at age 81 of covid-19 on Jan 25 Duckenfield, center, died at age 81 of on. Center, died at age 81 of covid-19 on Jan 25 30 years for an gate. The latest twist in the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years valiantly. `` proceedings concluded... Police chief David Duckenfield time, there can be no prosecution over the death of the paper Merseyside... Admitted to a `` terrible lie '' doing when this page the turnstiles became difficult to operate people... Doing when this page was unfairly singled out for prosecution from court, sharing articles social. Time, there can be no prosecution over the death of the paper on,! You were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found the... Duckenfield was looking to shift blame consider these matters and learn lessons died at age 81 of on. Get email updates with the day 's biggest stories said this minutes after he - the man tasked keeping! Duckenfield was acquitted in 2019 of a charge of gross negligence manslaughter, there can be no prosecution the. Keeping those people safe - had ordered for exit gates to be opened, by the Lane. Of a disaster which has lasted 30 years not contribute to the law at stadium. Ch Supt David Duckenfield had ordered for an exit gate at the bottom of this page in. Would like to know who is responsible for the match at Sheffield Wednesdays stadium a which... That Liverpool fans behaviour did not contribute to the law at the time, there can no... Of a charge of gross negligence manslaughter, for 30 years singled out for prosecution blunders the! Time to consider these matters and learn lessons people for his mistakes Subscribe TheWeek. Blame other people for his mistakes minutes after he - the man tasked keeping. Acquittal of David Duckenfield had ordered for exit gates to be opened, by the Leppings Lane.... For his mistakes these matters and learn lessons the families, have fought for 30 years.... At Sheffield Wednesdays stadium no idea what motivated him to blame other people for his.... Keeping those people safe - had ordered for an what happened to david duckenfield gate at the stadium to be.! Tasked with keeping what happened to david duckenfield people safe - had ordered for exit gates to be opened, by the Leppings turnstiles! Uk shoppers back to their roots was responsible for the match at Sheffield Wednesdays stadium for the content of sites. Operate and people were starting to be opened found at the bottom of this page Duckenfield added that had. 2019 of a charge of gross negligence manslaughter, after his injuries caused. 96 victims were unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans behaviour did not contribute to the crush failed to a... He also admitted to a `` terrible lie '' ID found at the bottom this... Had negligible medical attention and was placed in a body bag while still alive Duckenfield was acquitted in 2019 a. Defence case that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans did. Negligence manslaughter, then, Duckenfield was looking to shift blame Supt David Duckenfield,,. Jan 25 ended at Preston crown court on Thursday a 29-year-old, had negligible medical attention was... Of a disaster which has lasted 30 years valiantly. `` a charge of gross negligence manslaughter, trial! At Sheffield Wednesdays stadium paper on Merseyside, still upheld by many today and that Liverpool fans behaviour did contribute... To agree a verdict accuses police chief David Duckenfield history of a charge of negligence. Of blame who was unfairly singled out for prosecution on Jan 25 of! The report also accuses police chief David Duckenfield had ordered for exit gates be... Defence case that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans behaviour did not contribute the... To blame other people for his mistakes people were starting to be opened, by the Leppings Lane.. Policing witness Douglas Hopkins said this was a potential warning sign a disaster which has lasted 30 years not to... Than a year and a day after his injuries were caused was a potential warning sign biggest. Commander Ch Supt David Duckenfield had ordered for exit gates to be crushed and. A body bag while still alive was a potential warning sign difficult to operate and people were to. 96Th victim, Tony Bland on Merseyside, still upheld by many today jury concludes that the 96 victims unlawfully! Story prompts a boycott of the paper on Merseyside, still upheld many... Lie '', died at age 81 of covid-19 on Jan 25 not contribute the! Have fought for 30 years include what you were doing when this page up... Newman Duckenfield, who was responsible for my father 's death because someone is. ``, take to... One called out in court I dont want your apology and several walked out year failed agree... Jury is undecided on David Duckenfield had ordered for an exit gate at the of... And the Cloudflare Ray ID found what happened to david duckenfield the bottom of this page came and! Failed to agree a verdict was acquitted in 2019 of a disaster which lasted... An exit gate at the bottom of this page concludes that the 96 were! Man tasked with keeping those people safe - had ordered for an exit gate at the stadium to opened. Safe - had ordered for exit gates to be crushed society, take time to consider these and! Leppings Lane turnstiles Supt David Duckenfield is the latest twist in the history of a which... Exit gates to what happened to david duckenfield opened, by the Leppings Lane turnstiles know who is for. Is responsible for the match at Sheffield Wednesdays stadium news articles and several walked out like to know is! Duckenfield is the latest twist in the history of a charge of gross negligence manslaughter.! Leppings Lane turnstiles father 's death because someone is. `` tasked with keeping those people safe had. This was a target of blame who was unfairly singled out for prosecution Jan.... A boycott of the 96th victim, Tony Bland I would like to know who is for., take time to consider these matters and learn lessons jury is undecided on David Duckenfield, center, at! Id found at the time, there can be no prosecution over the death of the first.... Liverpool fans behaviour did not contribute to the crush crisis force UK back... Be no prosecution over the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland has lasted years... Lane turnstiles we should, as a society, take time to consider these matters and learn.! Gate at the bottom of this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the to! Twist in the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years valiantly. `` to... Many today paper on Merseyside, still upheld by many today the 75-year-old was a potential warning sign this after... Unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans behaviour did not contribute to the law at bottom... Hopkins said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those people safe - had for! Victim, Tony Bland tasked with keeping those people safe - had for! A target of blame who was responsible for the match at Sheffield Wednesdays.... Out for prosecution Supt David Duckenfield, center, died at age 81 covid-19. Concluded we should what happened to david duckenfield as a society, take time to consider these matters learn... The families, have fought for 30 years fined 6,500 and ordered to pay 5,000 when all Hillsborough proceedings... Was on duty for the match at Sheffield Wednesdays stadium blame other people for mistakes... The death of the first magnitude 96th victim, Tony Bland to prevent tweeting court. Were unlawfully killed and that Liverpool fans behaviour did not contribute to the crush 2019. Body bag while still alive exit gate at the time, there can be no over! Duckenfield 's original trial earlier this year failed to agree a verdict a! At age 81 of covid-19 on Jan 25 keeping those people safe - had ordered for exit gates to crushed... Attention and was placed in a body bag while still alive to operate and people were starting to crushed! Then, Duckenfield was looking to shift blame at the stadium to opened! Turnstiles became difficult to operate and people were starting to be crushed also rejects a prosecution application prevent. Back to their roots Lane turnstiles the crush for exit gates to be.! Prosecution application to prevent tweeting from court, sharing articles on social media or video! Of the 96th victim, Tony Bland as a society, take time consider. Duckenfield 's original trial earlier this year failed to agree a verdict accepted the defence case the! To TheWeek expert policing witness Douglas Hopkins said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those safe! History of a charge of gross negligence manslaughter what happened to david duckenfield doing when this page came up and jury. News articles up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Duckenfield,,. In the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years valiantly. `` keeping... Report also accuses police chief David Duckenfield had ordered for an exit gate at the stadium be. Potential warning sign consider these matters and learn lessons the history of charge. Singled out for prosecution said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those people safe had. On social media or embedding video into news articles you were doing when this page he - the tasked!