Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been cleared of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95
Liverpool fans in the 1989 football disaster.
The jury of seven women and three men reached their verdict by a majority of nine to one following three days of deliberation after the trial at Preston Crown Court. They had heard more than six weeks of evidence in the case.
A previous trial earlier this year ended with a hung jury as members were unable to reach a conclusion.
Family members sobbed in court as they waited for the verdict. There were cries of “oh my God” as the not guilty decision was returned, and some ran out of court.
Duckenfield, wearing a dark suit and blue jumper, remained impassive as the verdict was read out.
Retired chief superintendent Duckenfield, 75, had denied the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans who died in the disaster at the FA Cup semi-final on April 15, 1989.
Duckenfield, who was promoted to the role less than three weeks before the disaster, gave the order to open exit gates to the ground after crowds built up outside.
More than 2,000 fans entered the ground after the gate was opened, with many making their way down the tunnel to the central pens of the terrace, where the fatal crush happened.
Ninety-six men, women and children ultimately died as a result of the fatal crush on the Leppings Lane terrace at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as he died more than a year and a day after the disaster.
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