Defence Highlights Ex-Partner as Key Figure in Murder Case
A defence barrister representing Stephen McCullagh has described Natalie McNally's former partner as "walking-talking reasonable doubt" during McCullagh's murder trial.
McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, denies the murder of his pregnant partner, Natalie McNally, at her home in Lurgan in December 2022.
Throughout the four-week trial at Belfast Crown Court, a former partner of Natalie’s, whose identity is protected by a reporting restriction, was cross-examined. McCullagh’s defence asserts that this individual was responsible for Natalie’s death.
Following the prosecution’s final statement on Wednesday, the defence presented its closing remarks on Thursday, with John Kearney KC addressing the jury.
Kearney characterized the case as "a classic circumstantial case" lacking eyewitness testimony or direct evidence. He identified 10-15 strands of evidence which, when assembled like a jigsaw puzzle, contain pieces that introduce reasonable doubt.
"These pieces didn't point to the defendant, but Natalie's ex-partner who he described as the 'reasonable doubt elephant in the room'."
Kearney noted that the ex-partner’s messages indicated a strong interest in McCullagh, including knowledge of his name, Lisburn origins, and his status as a YouTuber.
"Could he accept the rejection of an ex-partner moving on?"
Evidence of Injuries and Alibi Questions
The barrister referenced testimony from a pathologist who described blunt force trauma to Natalie consistent with punching.
Kearney emphasized that McCullagh had no marks on his hands, whereas Natalie’s ex-partner exhibited swelling on both hands.
"These are punch injuries. He told you on one hand it was caused on December 9 and on the other two months previously when he punched a bedroom wall."
Kearney challenged the ex-partner’s alibi and police statements, highlighting inconsistencies and changes in accounts from him and his then-partner regarding the night of the killing.
He mentioned that while the ex-partner was asleep on the couch, his partner had read messages suggesting an intention to visit Natalie.
The defence also addressed an allegation made and later withdrawn by the ex-partner’s partner on 28 February 2023, concerning abusive messages and violence.
"This speaks about his propensity to violence,"
Kearney said, noting the woman later withdrew her complaint, reporting pressure from the man’s family and friends and accusations of lying.
Additionally, the barrister drew attention to messages sent by the ex-partner to Natalie the day before her death, which referenced slapping, choking, rape, and suggested meeting the following day.
CCTV Evidence and Missing Footage
Kearney questioned the prosecution’s CCTV evidence, which purportedly tracks a person of interest believed to be McCullagh traveling from near his home to Natalie’s and back.
He pointed out missing CCTV footage from McCullagh’s street, noting that movement-activated camera footage from a neighbour’s home in Woodland Gardens did not capture anyone leaving McCullagh’s residence on the night of the murder.
"There's a big jigsaw piece missing. That's the missing CCTV from his own street. He should have been picked up leaving his house. That's a big problem we suggest."
Kearney described the subsequent CCTV footage as poor quality, with clearer images only appearing near the ex-partner’s home close to a bus stop used to travel to Lurgan.
Online Gaming Stream Alibi
The trial revealed that McCullagh pre-recorded a six-hour online gaming stream on the night of Natalie’s death, which was presented as live.
The prosecution alleges McCullagh planned this false alibi in advance with the intent to kill Natalie.
Kearney noted that there can be financial incentives to present pre-recorded content as live, supported by testimony from a police witness.
"They suggest he accessed Natalie's phone triggering in his plan. They haven't identified when they suggest the defendant accessed her phone. There is no evidence before you."
The defence challenged the prosecution’s suggestion that McCullagh’s motive was jealousy over messages between Natalie and other men.
The trial also heard that a former partner of McCullagh accused him of assault in December 2019 after finding messages to another man on her phone, which the prosecution used to imply a propensity for domestic violence.
Kearney countered this by stating that McCullagh had saved this former partner’s life during a suicide attempt.
Hat and Wig Comparison
The jury previously viewed a photograph from McCullagh’s Instagram showing him wearing a hat and wig similar to the attire of the person of interest in CCTV footage.
Kearney argued that the hats were not the same and noted the absence of gait or height analysis in the case.
The judge is scheduled to address the jury on Friday, after which the jury will retire to deliberate on their verdict.
