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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the deadliest – and significant – dates throughout thirty years of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear period in Derry.

The protest was a protest against the policy of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been put in place after multiple years of conflict.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist community.

One image became notably iconic.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood white handkerchief while attempting to shield a crowd transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel documented extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts features Fr Daly telling a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, the administration established a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that overall, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that not one of the individuals had posed any threat.

At that time head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the government chamber – declaring deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."

Law enforcement started to examine the events.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the accused, was charged for homicide.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a legal order maintaining the defendant's identity protection, which his lawyers have argued is required because he is at danger.

He told the examination that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.

That claim was disputed in the official findings.

Material from the investigation could not be used directly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight with a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in late 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the accusations were presented.

Family members of the victims on the incident made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court daily of the trial.

John Kelly, whose relative was died, said they always knew that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.

"I remember everything in my recollection," John said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the trial – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby the courtyard, where James Wray and William McKinney were died.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again the entire event during the proceedings.

"Despite experiencing the process – it's still worthwhile for me."