A jury was today (Monday) sworn to preside in a trial concerning the murder of Lurgan woman Natalie McNally.
The 32-year old – who was 15 weeks pregnant – was killed in her Silverwood Green home in December 2022.
Stephen McCullagh, who is 35 and from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has been accused of and has denied murdering Ms McNally.
The trial process commenced at Belfast Crown Court today when a jury consisting of six men and six women was sworn.
Addressing the 12 jurors, Mr Justice Kinney said Ms McNally was murdered in her home on the evening of December 18, 2022.
As her family sat in the public gallery, they heard the Judge tell the jurors that she studied law at Queen’s University and worked for Translink.
The senior judge said the man accused of her murder worked part-time in the Belfast Telegraph.
Mr Justice Kinney said McCullagh was known as a YouTuber who used the profile ‘VoteSaxon’ and who was primarily known for reviewing Dr Who products and merchandise.
The 12 jurors heard the trial is expected to last five weeks and were told by the Judge: “Part of the evidence in the case will involve being shown photographs of the murder scene.
“It is not anticipated you will be shown any photographs which will involve the deceased.”
The Crown is due to open its case against McCullagh on Tuesday morning and before they left court for the day, Mr Justice Kinney warned the jurors not to carry out any research on the case or discuss it with anyone else.
He said: “Your task will be to decide the case only on the evidence you will see and hear in this court and nothing else.”
