Hillsborough top cop in court... watched over by relatives of 96
Graham Mackrell RELATIVES of the 96 who died in the Hillsborough disaster watched on as the policeman in charge on the day appeared in court yesterday.
Around 20 sat in the public gallery while others watched via videolink from Liverpool as ex Chief
Supt David Duckenfield,
74, charged with the gross negligence manslaughter of
95 of the fans, sat for jury selection.
At Preston crown court a panel of 100 potential jurors were asked to declare if they had allegiances to
Liverpool, Everton,
Sheffield Wednesday or Nottingham Forest.
They also had to say if they, members of their family or close friends had ever been police officers or employed by the police. After filling in a questionnaire, the group was reduced to 32, from which the jury will be chosen today. Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, 69, is charged with contravening the ground’s safety certificate and a health and safety offence.
Both deny the charges. The pair heard the trial could last until May 10. Judge Sir Peter Openshaw said: “I must find a jury to try an important case which might last three or four months.” Although 96 died in the fatal human crush at the 1989 FA Cup semi final, under the law at the time there can be no prosecution for 96th victim Tony Bland, because he died more than a year and a day later. The tragedy in 1989 Relatives of those who died at Hilsborough queue for the public gallery