Troubles veteran could face death charge trial by Skype
THE trial of a former British soldier over a fatal shooting in Northern Ireland could take place over Skype amid fears for the veteran’s health.
A lawyer for Dennis Hutchings, 79, applied for an adjournment over concerns that his client would not be able to attend in person. Belfast Crown Court heard that Mr Hutchings was receiving medical treatment and his doctor said it was not safe for him to travel.
Mr Hutchings, of Cawsand in Cornwall, is a former member of the Life Guards. He denies the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham, a 27-yearold with learning difficulties who was shot in the back as he ran from an Army patrol near Benburb, Co Tyrone, in 1974. He also denies attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He is on dialysis twice a week for renal failure.
Mr Justice O’hara told the court yesterday that a video link would allow Mr Hutchings to participate fully, and the court could sit two days a week if he was willing to use Skype.
However, Ian Turkington, defending, said that there could be a visibility challenge. He said his client wanted to be present at his trial and was not using his illness as a “tool to delay”.
The judge said: “Let’s get on with it.” The trial was delayed last week over concerns for Mr Hutchings’s health and the threat of coronavirus.
Yesterday the judge said the peak of the Covid-19 outbreak could be weeks away, and asking for further delay could see the trial put back to September.
A few months’ delay would be significant, he said, as Mr Hutchings is 79 and the shooting was decades ago.
Mr Turkington said: “These are serious allegations against a man of good character. To face these in his living room somewhere in England is not the preferred method of standing trial. We are in uncharted territory.”
He asked for a delay to consider the steps needed for his client to use Skype. The judge adjourned the case until March 23.
‘To face these serious allegations in his living room is not the preferred method of standing trial’