96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed in the 1989 disaster
Liverpool fans did not cause or contribute to the disaster and police planning errors "caused or contributed" to the dangerous situation that developed on the day of the Hillsborough disaster, the jury at the inquests has concluded
THE 96 fans who died at the Hillsborough tragedy 27 years ago were unlawfully killed, a jury has ruled today.
The jury of six women and three men delivered their conclusions at 11am this morning after hearing evidence for more than two years from around 1,000 witnesses.
Jurors sitting in Warrington, Cheshire, agreed the tragedy happened "as a result of crushing in the central pens of the Leppings Lane terrace, following the admission of a large number of supporters to the stadium through the exit gates".
And they answered yes to the question: "Was there any error or omission in police planning or preparation which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that developed on the day of the match?"
They were the first of 14 general questions they were asked, with others covering stadium safety, the emergency response to the disaster and whether the fans were unlawfully killed.
The conclusion was greeted with sobbing and cheers at the hearing in Warrington.
The Hillsborough tragedy unfolded during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final tie against Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989, as thousands of fans were crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's ground.
Overall match commander Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield gave the order at 2.52pm to open exit Gate C in Leppings Lane, allowing around 2,000 fans to flood 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 crush in the west terrace had begun to develop.
After the key conclusions were delivered, someone in court shouted: "God bless the jury" and the jurors were given a round of applause as they left the courtroom.
Lawyers acting for relatives of the victims said the jury's conclusions had completely vindicated the bereaved families' tireless 27-year fight for justice.
Last Wednesday the jury indicated to the court in Warrington that unanimous decisions had been reached on every question apart from question six - unlawful killing.
They were given a majority direction yesterday and quickly indicated they had reached a majority decision on the outstanding question.
Crowds gathered outside the court in support and applauded the families - many wearing Liverpool scarfs and holding posters of loved ones - as they left the building.
Many had arrived wearing Liverpool Football Club scarfs and holding posters and banners of loves one.
Labour MP Andy Burnham, who has supported the families' campaign, said: "This has been the greatest miscarriage of justice of our times.
"But, finally, it is over."
Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher tweeted: "Justice finally. #JFT96."
At the start of the inquests, the coroner said 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.
The Hillsborough tragedy unfolded during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final tie against Nottingham Forest.
Thousands of fans were crushed on Sheffield Wednesday's Leppings Lane terrace.
Mr Duckenfield gave the order at 2.52pm to open exit Gate C in Leppings Lane, allowing around 2,000 fans to flood into the already packed central pens behind the goal.
The 1991 accidental deaths verdicts from the original inquests were quashed following the 2012 Hillsborough Independent Panel report after a long campaign by the families of the dead.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) called the conclusion of the inquests a “milestone”.
IPCC Deputy Chair, Rachel Cerfontyne, said: “The conclusion of the inquests is another milestone and a day when my thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died as a result of the disaster.
“Our attention now focuses on concluding our criminal investigation into the aftermath of the disaster. This is by far the biggest and most complex investigation ever undertaken by the IPCC.
“I anticipate we will conclude the criminal investigations by the turn of the year.”
The Officer in Overall Command of Operation Resolve, Assistant Commissioner Jon Stoddart, said: “Today is a day for the families. They have fought hard for many years for these new inquests and today brings an end to this particular part of their journey.
“My thoughts and those of my team are with the families and friends of the 96 as they take stock of what has happened over the past two years at the court in Warrington and begin to understand the determinations of the jury.
“Now that the inquests have concluded my sole focus is on completing the criminal investigation which I expect will be finished by the turn of the year.”
Sue Hemming, Head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division at the CPS said: “Following the inquests determinations the CPS team will continue to work closely with Operation Resolve and the IPCC as in due course, the CPS will formally consider whether any criminal charges should be brought against any individual or corporate body based upon all the available evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.”
