Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield appears in court accused of gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans
He appeared alongside former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell
HILLSBOROUGH match commander David Duckenfield has appeared in court accused of gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans.
The 74-year-old ex-chief superintendent was in the dock alongside former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell.
Mackrell, 69, is charged with contravening the stadium's safety certificate and a health and safety offence.
Both were watched by 14 family members in the public gallery at Preston Crown Court, while other relatives sat in a court annexe.
Duckenfield previously appeared via videolink to enter a not-guilty plea to the charge of gross negligence manslaughter.
Questionnaires were given to 100 potential jurors brought into the courtroom to assess whether they would be suitable to serve.
It said: "In this case one defendant is charged with manslaughter and another with two health and safety offences arising out of the Hillsborough stadium disaster at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played in Sheffield as long ago as April 15 1989."
Questions to potential jurors
Questions included whether they were supporters of Liverpool, Everton, Sheffield Wednesday or Nottingham Forest football clubs.
They were also asked whether they or close family members or friends had ever been police officers or been employed by the police, Crown Prosecution Service, Independent Police Complaints Commission or any criminal justice agency.
The two defendants were asked to stand so the panel could see whether they recognised them.
The Hillsborough disaster saw 96 men, women and children crushed to death in pens at the Sheffield Wednesday ground at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
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Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused.
Mackrell is charged with contravening a term or condition of the stadium's safety certificate, by failing to agree the methods of admission for the match, and failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety Act by not taking reasonable care in respect of arrangements for admission and the drawing up of contingency plans.
Richard Matthews QC, the lead barrister for the Crown Prosecution Service, will open the case once the jury has been selected.
