![\"David](\"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/David-Duckenfield-and-Graham-Mackrell.jpg\")
<\/a>During the 10-week trial at Preston Crown Court, jurors heard that 96 men, women and children died as a result of a fatal crush on the Leppings Lane terrace on 15 April 1989.<\/p>\n
Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as he died more than a year and a day after the disaster.<\/p>\n
The jury deliberated for more than 29 hours but was unable to agree whether Mr Duckenfield was guilty or not guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.<\/p>\n
CPS legal director Sue Hemming said the trial had been “incredibly complex” and she recognised “that these developments will be difficult for the families affected by the Hillsborough disaster”.<\/p>\n
Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, thanked the jury for “the weeks they’ve taken for their deliberations”.<\/p>\n
She added: “We were all hoping we would have some sort of closure today and we haven’t.”<\/p>\n
Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher died in the disaster, said he was “exceedingly disappointed” the jury had failed to reach a verdict on the charge against Mr Duckenfield.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the jury was discharged, Mr Devonside said: “Most of the families wanted a verdict of one kind or another.<\/p>\n
“I, like many people, want a conclusion and Hillsborough to come to an end so we can return, as a family, to some sort of normality. We hope for a retrial.”<\/p>\n
However, Steve Kelly, whose brother Michael died at Hillsborough, said: “I can only speak personally [and] I don’t want to see another trial.<\/p>\n
“We’ve been here for nearly 11 weeks and I don’t think I could go through that again. And a lot of the elderly family members shouldn’t either.”<\/p>\n
In a statement, Liverpool Football Club said it wanted to “reiterate our support and admiration for the Hillsborough families, survivors and campaigners”.<\/p>\n
The trial heard Mr Duckenfield ordered the opening of exit gates at the Leppings Lane end of the ground at 14:52 BST, eight minutes before kick off, after the area outside the turnstiles became dangerously overcrowded.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors alleged Mr Duckenfield had “ultimate responsibility” at the ground and should have made “key lifesaving decisions” on the day.<\/p>\n
Mr Duckenfield’s defence case lasted just 74 minutes and consisted of read evidence from his deputy on the day – ground commander Bernard Murray.<\/p>\n
His defence argued the case against Mr Duckenfield was “breathtakingly unfair” and said he had “tried to do the right thing”.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mr Mackrell, 69, was convicted of failing to discharge his duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act, by a majority of 10 to two.<\/p>\n He was accused of failing to take reasonable care to ensure there were enough turnstiles to prevent large crowds building up.<\/p>\n The court heard there were seven turnstiles for the 10,100 Liverpool fans with standing tickets for the match against Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n Mr Mackrell did not give evidence but Jason Beer QC, defending, argued the build-up of fans outside was caused by other factors, including a lack of police cordons and the unusual arrival pattern of supporters.<\/p>\n Mr Mackrell is due to be sentenced on 13 May.<\/p>\n Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/span>