999 Call Played in Court
The trial of Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, accused of murdering Natalie McNally, included the playing of a 999 call he made the night after her death.
The call was made from Natalie McNally's home at approximately 22:00 GMT on 19 December 2022.
During the call, McCullagh, who denies the murder charge, was heard sobbing and saying to the call handler,
"please come as soon as you can, she's pregnant. She's cold".
Prosecution's Argument on the Call
The prosecution described the 999 call as
"an act. Put on. Part of his plan to do the murder and get away with it".
When the call handler asked,
"Is the patient breathing?", McCullagh was heard crying,
"No, she's gone."
He also told the handler,
"There's blood everywhere."
McCullagh informed the call handler that Natalie was 15 weeks pregnant and that they
"had a scan"the following day.
Opening of Prosecution Case
The prosecution presented their case to a jury of six men and six women.
Charles MacCreanor KC stated in court that the murder was
"a planned, calculated and premeditated murder by the defendant. One which he hoped to get away with".
The 10-minute 999 call was played in Belfast Crown Court as part of the evidence.
Details of the Victim's Injuries
The court was informed that Natalie McNally, aged 32, sustained
"serious multiple stab wounds".
MacCreanor noted that a pathologist observed
"compression of her neck and noted bruising to her left and right, suggesting finger tips".
The court also heard that Natalie had three wounds to her neck and blunt force trauma to her head caused by
"at least five heavy blows to her head".
The prosecution emphasized that
"both the neck compression and stabbing injuries could have caused death on their own".
Pregnancy and Relationship
It was confirmed in court that Natalie was pregnant at the time of her death and that Stephen McCullagh was the father of the unborn child.
