A jury has been sworn in at Belfast Crown Court in the trial of a man accused of murdering Natalie McNally in County Armagh four years ago. Stephen McCullagh (35) has denied the murder of the 32-year-old, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.
Natalie McNally Murder Trial Begins in Belfast
Stephen McCullagh, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, is accused in the December 18, 2022, stabbing death of Natalie McNally at her home in Silverwood Green, Lurgan. McNally sustained severe head and neck injuries and was not discovered until the following day.
The public gallery of the court was filled with members of the McNally family, friends, and supporters on Monday. McCullagh appeared in the dock accompanied by two prison officers.
Potential jurors were questioned by Judge Patrick Kinney regarding their familiarity with the defendant and any potential connections to the case that could compromise their objectivity. The trial was originally scheduled to begin in November but was postponed due to the emergence of new evidence.
The jury, comprised of six men and six women, learned that Natalie McNally was a law graduate of Queen’s University and an employee of Translink. McCullagh worked part-time at the Belfast Telegraph and is known online as “VoteSaxon,” a YouTuber who reviews Doctor Who products and merchandise.
Judge Kinney cautioned jurors against seeking information from outside sources, emphasizing the potential for inaccuracy and the risk of influencing their deliberations. He stressed the importance of adhering to his instructions to avoid delays and additional strain on all involved.
The trial is expected to last five weeks and is proceeding despite ongoing strike action by criminal barristers in Northern Ireland over legal aid payments. The Criminal Bar Association agreed to exempt this case from the industrial action, a decision for which Kinney previously expressed his gratitude.
The first evidence in the trial is scheduled to be presented on Tuesday.
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