Man on ground 'shot in back'

Tribunal heard scientists' evidence

It is likely a soldier shot a civil rights marcher in the back as he lay on the ground on Bloody Sunday, the investigating tribunal has heard.

Thirteen civilians were shot dead by British Army soldiers during a civil rights march in the city that day. A 14th person died later.

The Saville Inquiry was told several eye witnesses said Jim Wray was shot by a soldier as he lay on the ground after being first shot while running away from soldiers.

However, two independent forensics experts have admitted fresh tests had failed to conclusively prove the theory.

It appears that the third of those bullet points would fit that category, but I cannot say from the pathology that the angle is the only solution

Richard Shepherd
Pathologist

Pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd was called back to the stand at Derry's Guildhall after his co-author on a report into the ballistic evidence from Bloody Sunday, Kevin O'Callaghan, faced several hours of intense questioning on Tuesday.

In their report, they found there were three broad propositions which would match the angle of entry of the two gunshots if they were fired by the same individual.

Although they said there were other viable explanations, they stood by their original finding.

Mr O'Callaghan said: "I suppose it is more common sense than anything to do with firearms expertise that... the deceased on the ground seems more likely to me, but it is not an immutable opinion by any means."

Dr Shepherd said it was "most likely" Mr Wray, 22, was shot as he lay on the ground.

Bullet holes

When asked about a picture recreating the eye-witness account claiming a soldier stood above Mr Wray and "executed him" with a second shot, Dr Shepherd said with pathology alone it was impossible to conclude he was shot from that position.

"If that is correct, then it appears that the third of those bullet points would fit that category, but I cannot say from the pathology that the angle is the only solution, all three remain and it must be on other witness evidence that the conclusions are reached."

Earlier, Lord Saville criticised late moves to introduce new photographic evidence depicting the bullet holes in the jacket Mr Wray wore on the day he was shot.

Lord Saville: Began work on inquiry nearly four years ago

The tribunal, chaired by Lord Saville, is sitting in the Guildhall in Londonderry for a short time before moving to London to hear evidence from soldiers.

Lord Saville and the commonwealth judges who comprise the inquiry began their work nearly four years ago and are not expected to report back until 2004.

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry was established in 1998 by Prime Minister Tony Blair after a campaign by families of those killed and injured.

They felt that the Widgery Inquiry, held shortly after the shootings, did not find out the truth about what happened on Bloody Sunday.