The Daily Star Ireland
A former British soldier, accused of committing two murders during Bloody Sunday, has pleaded not guilty as his case was formally set for trial following the rejection of a motion to dismiss it.
The ex-paratrooper, known as Soldier F, faces charges for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney, who were among the 13 civil rights protesters killed by the Parachute Regiment in Derry in January 1972.
Additionally, he faces five counts of attempted murder.
During his arraignment at Belfast Crown Court, Soldier F pleaded not guilty to all seven charges read to him.
To maintain his anonymity, a thick blue curtain shielded him from the main body of the court as he sat in the witness box.
This arraignment followed a failed defense application to dismiss the case, with Judge Mr. Justice Fowler ruling against it.
The judge did, however, approve the defense’s request to extend anonymity and screening measures for Soldier F.
In June, the defense argued that revealing Soldier F’s identity would make him a “prized target” for dissident republicans.
