Natalie McNally Trial: Key Moments as Jury Hears Police Interview
A jury in the Belfast Crown Court is currently hearing evidence in the trial of Stephen McCullagh, accused of the murder of Natalie McNally. The 32-year-old victim was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed at her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on December 18, 2022. McCullagh, 36, denies the charge.
‘No Comment’ Strategy and CCTV Evidence
Extracts from police interviews with McCullagh were presented to the court, with the accused repeatedly responding “no comment” to a series of questions. The jury was shown footage of a final interview on February 1, 2023, where detectives confronted McCullagh with GPS data tracking a taxi journey from Lurgan to Lisburn on the night of the murder.
Detectives presented CCTV evidence allegedly showing McCullagh travelling to his home address in Lisburn. When asked if he was the person in the taxi, McCullagh responded, “no comment.” The detective stated police believe the individual in the taxi is responsible for Natalie McNally’s death, to which McCullagh again replied, “no comment.”
Gaming Alibi Challenged
The prosecution challenged McCullagh’s claim of being at home playing Grand Theft Auto on the night of the murder. Detectives informed him that an examination of his devices revealed no user activity during the claimed gaming session, despite McCullagh stating he had been “telling the world” he would be livestreaming. McCullagh responded to this claim by saying, “That is literally impossible because you can see it on YouTube,” before reverting to “no comment” when asked to explain the lack of activity on his computers.
Timeline of Events Presented to the Court
The detective detailed a timeline, stating that McCullagh’s mobile phone became active again three minutes after a person matching his description was seen entering his home via CCTV. The prosecution alleges the murder was “premeditated,” outlining a journey taken by the suspect via bus from Dunmurry to Lurgan, followed by a 39-minute period inside Ms. McNally’s home.
The detective described the injuries sustained by Ms. McNally as consistent with “compression of the neck, stab wounds of the neck and blunt force injuries to the head.” The prosecution contends that all evidence points to McCullagh being the male captured on CCTV.
Accused Claims a ‘Trail’ Left by the Real Killer
In a statement provided to police, McCullagh maintained his innocence, claiming the case against him was “entirely circumstantial.” He denied being the individual in the CCTV footage and suggested that the true perpetrator intentionally left a trail of evidence to implicate him. He stated, “I suppose This proves obvious the true killer of Natalie has left a clear circumstantial trail to link me to the murder.”
Witness Testimony: Unexpected Visit
Holly McNally, married to Ms. McNally’s brother, testified that McCullagh visited the McNally family home after the murder and was made welcome. She recounted that he returned to the house within 20 minutes of initially leaving, claiming he had forgotten his mobile phone.
Ms. McNally’s Plans and Relationships
Earlier in the trial, the jury heard evidence of messages exchanged between Ms. McNally and other individuals. On December 16th, she informed a man identified as “Male B” that she was pregnant and “delighted to have a baby by myself.” Messages to another man, “Male C,” revealed Ms. McNally was considering breaking up with McCullagh, stating she “just like[d] doing [her] own thing” and felt uneasy.
A note on McCullagh’s phone from November 8th indicated Ms. McNally was apprehensive about moving in with him and felt their home was “my house and not hers.”
FAQ
Q: What is Stephen McCullagh accused of?
A: He is accused of the murder of Natalie McNally.
Q: What evidence is being presented in court?
A: CCTV footage, police interview recordings, mobile phone data, and witness testimony.
Q: What is McCullagh’s defense?
A: He denies the charge and claims the evidence against him is circumstantial, suggesting another person framed him.
Q: What was Natalie McNally’s state at the time of her death?
A: She was 15 weeks pregnant.
Did you know? Natalie McNally was considering ending her relationship with the accused just weeks before her death.
Pro Tip: Following high-profile trials like this one can be emotionally taxing. Remember to prioritize your mental wellbeing and seek support if needed.
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