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A “so-called” reside YouTube gaming stream hosted by a person accused of murdering his pregnant associate, Natalie McNally, has been performed to jurors at Belfast Crown Court.
On the third day of the homicide trial the accused, Stephen McCullagh, sat within the dock watching the footage performed on-line on the night the Co Armagh girl was killed.
It was referred to as The Violent Night Christmas Live Gaming Stream.
At the opening of the trial on Monday the courtroom heard the footage was recorded days earlier.
It was utilized by the defendant who “peddled a false alibi” by pretending to be gaming through the interval he carried out the homicide, the prosecution mentioned.
McCullagh (36), from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, Co Antrim, has denied the cost.
McNally (32) was killed at her dwelling in Silverwood Green, Lurgan on the night time of December 18th, 2022, when she was 15 weeks’ pregnant with a child boy.
The time of dying was 8.50pm-9.30pm.
When McCullagh was first arrested on the night time of the homicide, he informed police he was at dwelling internet hosting the six-hour reside stream from 6pm till midnight.
He was rearrested in late January 2023 and in a pre-prepared assertion submitted on February 2nd, McCullagh admitted the stream was pre-recorded.
He mentioned he fell asleep after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol on the night time of the killing.
On Wednesday prosecution barrister Charles MacCreanor mentioned a portion of the “so-called live stream” could be performed.
The footage confirmed the defendant consuming Guinness and Baileys as he performed the Grand Theft Auto Vice City recreation.
He mentioned: “I’m going to drink during this live stream … I’m going to drink and drive in the game.
“I’m not leaving the house tonight.”
About 90 minutes of footage was performed to the jury of six males and 6 ladies.
McCullagh swore and screamed loudly all through the stream.
“I’m a very angry gamer by the way,” he mentioned.
Wearing a Santa hat, he launched the stream.
“Hey and we’re live…hello, hello to all on this glorious Sunday evening. Yeah, I just thought, why not, I’m going to do a live stream because this day next week is Christmas,” he mentioned.
“What more could you want for Christmas than an evening with your old friend, Stephen.”
He informed YouTube followers that he “can’t look at the live chat for some bloody reason” and requested them to “chat amongst” themselves.
He mentioned he would “call it a night” at midnight.
“It’ll be a really good f***ing Christmas this year,” he mentioned.
WhatsApp messages between the defendant and McNally on the times earlier than her dying had been learn to the jury.
Hours earlier than she was murdered, she watched the World Cup ultimate at her mother and father’ dwelling and wrote at 5.55pm: “Argentina win it, I’m crying…”
Two minutes later, McCullagh messaged her: “Right, I’m off to stream the night away. Wish me luck.”
Her final message to him was despatched at 5.59pm when she replied: “Good luck. I might have a peek at your live stream later”.
Further WhatsApp messages despatched by the defendant to McNally the day after the homicide had been learn to the jury.
All went unanswered.
In one message, he apologised for breaking his promise to not drink alcohol through the being pregnant.
He was the daddy of her unborn little one.
“I love you and I don’t want to do anything to hurt or upset you,” he wrote at 4.09pm on Monday, December 19th.
He informed her he was “getting a little worried” about her security when she didn’t reply.
At 9.31pm he messaged to say he was going to her home.
He additionally despatched messages to a a feminine good friend, expressing concern that McNally was not responding to him and that she could also be unwell or suffered a diabetes-related “hypo” assault.
McCullough requested his good friend to go to his associate’s home with him however she informed him she couldn’t.
Earlier, a small black-handed knife discovered beside McNally’s physique on the homicide scene was proven to the jury.
A silver canine bowl and a sheet of paper containing data on diabetes, which had been discovered near the deceased’s physique, had been additionally proven as proof displays.
On Tuesday the courtroom heard a police officer describe how the bowl gave the impression to be full of blood.
The trial continues.
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