The 96 Liverpool fans who died in Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed, the inquests jury has concluded.
The jurors were informed they could only come to that determination if they were completely sure of four “essential” aspects related to the deaths at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.
Firstly they had to be convinced that match commander Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield owed his duty of care to those football fans who died in the disaster, and secondly, he was in breach of that duty of care.
Thirdly, they would need to be satisfied that it was his breach of duty which caused the deaths and, fourthly, that it amounted to “gross negligence”.
And they concluded it was unlawful killing by a 7-2 majority.
The conclusion was greeted with subsequent sobbing and cheers at the hearing in Warrington.
The jury also confirmed that fan behaviour didn’t cause or contribute to the tragedy.
The Hillsborough disaster occurred during Liverpool’s cup clash against Nottingham Forest on 15th April as thousands of fans were literally crushed at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground.
Mr. Duckenfield gave the order at 2.52pm to open exit Gate C in Leppings Lane, which allowed around 2,000 Liverpool fans to run into the already packed central pens behind the goal.
The jury also found that both the police and the ambulance service caused or contributed to the loss of lives in the disaster by an error or omission.
After the conclusions were finally delivered, someone in court shouted: “God bless the jury”.
The jurors were given a round of applause as they left the courtroom.
Lawyers who were acting for relatives of the victims revealed the jury’s conclusions had completely vindicated the mourning families’ tireless 27-year battle for justice.
The jury of six women and three men gave their decisions on an emotionally charged day for relatives of the 96, many of whom were at court for the conclusion of the longest jury proceedings in British legal history.
At the start of the inquests, the coroner made it clear none of the victims should be blamed for their deaths.
Emotional tributes to each of the 96 were then delivered by family members in the form of personal portraits.