Delivering his judgment at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran fell “well short” of what was required for conviction.
In the packed public gallery at court 12, gathered relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims gave no visible response as the veteran was found not guilty on all counts.
There was also no reaction from those in the public gallery supporting the former paratrooper.
Soldier F had been accused of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney on Bloody Sunday, regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Some 13 people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on the day.
9.
PACEMAKER BELFAST. 23/10/2025 Families of those killed on Bloody Sunday outside court this afternoon after the not guilty verdict. Photo: pacemaker
10.
PACEMAKER BELFAST. 23/10/2025 Families of those killed on Bloody Sunday outside court this afternoon after the not guilty verdict. Photo: pacemaker
11.
Soldier F found not guilty of murdering two people on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972. The former paratrooper - who cannot be named because of a court order - was also found not guilty of five counts of attempted murder. ctured outside the court after the verdict. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Photo: Jonathan Porter / Press Eye
12.
SUPPORTERS OF SOLDIER F AT LAGANSIDE COURT A verdict is expected on Thursday in the trial of a former British soldier accused of murdering two people on Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972. Photo: PACEMAKER