Father-to-be Accused of Faking YouTube Livestream During Pregnant Ex's Murder
The murder of a pregnant woman in County Armagh just a week before Christmas in 2022 has been described by prosecutors as a planned, calculated, and pre-meditated attack. Natalie McNally, aged 32, was 15 weeks pregnant when she was assaulted and died in her home in Lurgan.
Defendant Denies Charges in Belfast Crown Court
Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has pleaded not guilty to her murder. He appeared in the dock at Belfast Crown Court on Monday morning, flanked by two prison guards, as the trial commenced. Family members and friends of Ms McNally observed the proceedings from the public gallery.
A jury comprising six men and six women has been sworn in to serve during the trial, which is anticipated to last approximately five weeks under the supervision of Judge Mr Justice Patrick Kinney.
Prosecution Alleges Elaborate Cover-Up Involving YouTube
Prosecuting barrister Charles MacCreanor KC outlined the prosecution's case, asserting that the defendant murdered Ms McNally and then put on an act to conceal his involvement. This allegedly included suggesting that a former partner of Ms McNally was responsible, informing police there was blood everywhere, and remarking that someone had knocked 10 bells out of her by the look of it.
Mr MacCreanor contended that McCullagh, known online as Votesaxon07 on YouTube, fabricated a cover story claiming he was livestreaming himself playing video games on the evening of Sunday, December 18. However, the prosecution argues that McCullagh had actually pre-recorded six hours of gameplay footage, which he broadcast as if live that Sunday evening, while instead taking a bus to Ms McNally's residence in Lurgan.
Details of the Alleged Attack and 999 Call
We say that this is a planned, calculated, pre-meditated murder by the defendant, Mr MacCreanor told the jury, one which he hoped to get away with. Natalie McNally sustained serious and multiple fatal injuries.
Her cause of death involved compression of her neck, suggestive of finger tips grasping, along with three stab wounds to the neck from a bladed weapon and five lacerations to the back, top, and right side of her head, consistent with at least five heavy blows. Any of these injuries alone could have been fatal.
Mr MacCreanor added, Natalie McNally was pregnant at the time and Stephen McCullagh was the father of her unborn child. The estimated time of death is between 8:50 PM and 9:30 PM on Sunday, December 18, 2022.
McCullagh made a 999 call at around 10:00 PM on Monday, December 19, from her home in Lurgan, informing police that he last saw Ms McNally on Sunday afternoon. On the prosecution case, this call is false, it's an act, it's put on by him, part of his plan to do the murder and get away with it, Mr MacCreanor KC stated.
Emergency Response and Alleged Deception
Ambulance services and police arrived swiftly at the scene, finding McCullagh with Ms McNally. Natalie McNally is lying at the top of the stairs ... which was the living area of the home, he described. Paramedics immediately recognized that she was deceased, with evidence of an attack including blood and visible injuries.
Stephen McCullagh was observed by paramedics performing CPR on the female and was described as quite visibly upset. Police also noted him as distraught and overcome. However, the prosecution asserts that this is all part of an act, a front.
During the 999 call, which was played in court, McCullagh is heard audibly upset and sobbing, urgently requesting emergency services to come to Ms McNally's address in Lurgan and pleading, Please come as soon as you can. The operator guided him through positioning Ms McNally and administering CPR compressions while awaiting paramedics, encouraging him to keep going and assuring him he was giving her the best chance.
The trial continues as further evidence is presented.
