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International Football

Inquest Jury Delivers 'Unlawful Killing' Verdict Over 1989 Hillsborough Disaster

The "27-year battle for justice" by families of those killed at Hillsborough were "vindicated" on Tuesday after a jury found the 96 victims of the '89 disaster "were unlawfully killed -- a verdict which could see former police chief David Duckenfield stand trial for manslaughter," according to Ian Herbert of the London INDEPENDENT. The verdict was one of 14 conclusions reached by the "jury of nine who, significantly, also concluded that Liverpool supporters had played no part whatsoever in the causes of the disaster." Duckenfield, then South Yorkshire Police's chief superintendent, "tried to shift the blame by accusing fans of forcing a gate to cause the crush -- something he admitted to during his one week of inquest testimony 13 months ago." In court, "there were cheers of delight at that response" and shouts of "thank you" and "hallelujah" as the jury forewoman replied, "Yes, by a majority" when coroner John Goldring asked her, "Are you satisfied, so that you are sure, that those who died in the Disaster were unlawfully killed?" The answer to the much-anticipated "question six" does not carry a "direct legal consequence because the criminal investigation into the disaster is working independently of the inquests." But solicitors for the families of the 96 "do believe it will make a gross negligence manslaughter charge more likely." The jury also unanimously found, in response to the 12 further questions, that the disaster "had been caused by catastrophic institutional failings" (INDEPENDENT, 4/26). In London, Andrew Bounds reported the jury decided that Duckenfield "was responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence." Responding to the verdict, Liverpool-born Labour MP Andy Burnham said, "This has been the greatest miscarriage of justice of our times. But, finally, it is over. After 27 long years, this is real justice for the 96, their families and all Liverpool supporters" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 4/26).

HISTORIC DAY: In N.Y., Dan Bilefsky reported the events on that day "changed how the game is watched: Standing-only sections at stadiums that were vulnerable to overcrowding have been replaced by all-seating areas" at most venues in Britain, and fences around the field were removed. U.K. PM David Cameron said that the verdict "had delivered justice that was long overdue" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/26).

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