Livestream Alibi in Murder Trial Was Pre-Recorded Four Days Earlier, Court Hears

A police digital forensics analyst has testified that a livestream presented as an alibi in the trial of a man accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend was actually recorded four days before the alleged crime took place. The revelation came on the fourth day of the trial of Stephen McCullagh, who is charged with the murder of Natalie McNally.

Details of the Alleged Crime

Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has pleaded not guilty to murdering his girlfriend, Natalie McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their son at the time of her death. The prosecution alleges that on December 18, 2022, McCullagh disguised himself and traveled by bus to Lurgan, Co Armagh, where he killed Ms McNally at her home. They claim he later returned to her house on the night of December 19 and made a 999 call.

Ms McNally, 32, was subjected to a prolonged assault that included stab wounds to the neck, strangulation, and heavy blows to the head. The prosecution has described the murder as "planned, calculated and premeditated, one which he (McCullagh) hoped to get away with."

The Livestream Evidence

During the trial at Belfast Crown Court, the prosecution contended that McCullagh created a false alibi by pre-recording a livestream of himself playing computer games at his home in Co Antrim. This stream was broadcast as live on December 18, the day police believe Ms McNally was killed. The footage showed McCullagh playing Grand Theft Auto and Robot Wars, drinking Guinness and Baileys, and making references to broadcasting live.

On Thursday, Detective Constable Matthews, a digital forensic analyst, provided crucial evidence based on his examination of McCullagh's computer. He stated that his analysis "provided extensive evidence indicating that the broadcast was pre-recorded and later streamed as a live event."

Forensic Findings

DC Matthews explained that the six-hour broadcast had been recorded on December 14 and saved as a video file. It was then streamed on McCullagh's YouTube account, Votesaxon07, on December 18. The software analysis showed no signs of user activity on the computer between 6pm on December 18 and just after midnight on December 19, suggesting McCullagh was not at home during that time.

The video file was deleted in the early hours of December 19 and subsequently removed from the computer's recycle bin. DC Matthews outlined the timeline of events:

Video recording activity occurred on December 14.
The pre-recorded video file was completed in the early hours of December 15.
A social media advert was created between December 14 and 17.
The livestream of the pre-recorded video was broadcast between December 18 and 19.
The video file was deleted in the early hours of December 19, 2022.

Court Proceedings

The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick Kinney, is expected to last around five weeks. A jury of six men and six women has been sworn in to serve. On the fourth day of the trial, McCullagh wore a grey T-shirt and jeans as he sat between two prison staff in the dock. Ms McNally's family and friends watched from the public gallery behind him.

The trial continues as more evidence is presented in this high-profile case.