I can see how difficult it must be for families to see Duckenfield acquitted.
The conclusion of the inquest which found gross negligence manslaughter, a decision made to criminal and not civil standard of proof (as some media reports have said) must have made it seem like an open and shut case.
Duckenfield gave evidence at the inquest and seemed close to admitting gross negligence and fact he'd lied about how/why gates were opened.
AIUI at Criminal trial he declined, as of course is his right, to give evidence. There's a controversy brewing over extent to which his Counsel in making submissions went behind the inquest conclusion that fans were not to blame and re-hashed a load of stuff about their behaviour and way in which Judge allowed that to happen. The Judge's summing up is also being criticised.
As a long term observer of the operations of the courts and as somebody with no skin in the game can see how that can happen. It must though look to families as if process has been manipulated and he has 'got off'.
Will be interesting to see what happens next and in particular if allegations of misdirection by judge are pursued.
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