Jury clears match commander in Hillsborough soccer disaster

PRESTON, England (AP) — The man in control of police operations at the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium tragedy that left 96 people dead has been cleared by a jury of gross negligence manslaughter.

A jury at Preston Crown Court found David Duckenfield not guilty on Thursday following a trial which lasted more than six weeks.

The prosecution in the case alleged Duckenfield, who is now 75, had a “personal responsibility” for what happened at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989, where 96 people — all Liverpool fans — were fatally injured in a crush inside the stadium.

Duckenfield denied 95 counts. There can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, because he died more than a year and a day after his injuries.

Duckenfield stood trial earlier this year but the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict and a retrial was ordered.

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