GUILTY UK - Natalie McNally, 32, 15 weeks pregnant, stabbed to death, Lurgan, Northern Ireland - 18 December 2022

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Natalie McNally murder trial: Accused Stephen McCullagh refuses to give evidence or call witnesses

Messages between Natalie McNally and murder accused ‘had no trace of argument’

I'm curious about this - drawing inferences when an accused fails to give evidence. Can the jury infer guilt when a defendant does not give evidence; remains silent?

"Mr Justice Kinney then asked defence barrister John Kearney KC “have you advised your client that the stage has now been reached at which he may give evidence, and if he chooses not to do so … the jury may draw such inferences as appear proper from his failure to do so?”

Mr Kearney said his client “has been so advised” and after the judge asked “and what is his intention?”, the barrister replied “we’re not calling any evidence, My Lord.”

Natalie McNally murder trial: Accused Stephen McCullagh refuses to give evidence or call witnesses

The 36-year old man accused of beating, stabbing and strangling his pregnant partner in her Lurgan home declined to give evidence at her murder trial…

armaghi.com

 

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Jury told to consider 'different strands' of evidence in McNally murder case

Natalie McNally murder trial told case against accused is 'circumstantial'

 

[Rikissa]

From 19 March 2026:

The evidence in the trial of a man accused of murdering Natalie McNally points towards “some other killer”, a jury has been told.

Delivering his closing submissions at Belfast Crown Court, defence barrister John Kearney KC said the case against Stephen McCullagh is “dependent upon circumstantial evidence”.

Ms McNally, 32, was 15 weeks’ pregnant when she was beaten and stabbed at her home in Lurgan on December 18 2022.

Her partner, Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, is on trial accused of murdering her.

Evidence in Natalie McNally murder trial points to ‘some other killer’ – defence

Defence barrister John Kearney KC said the case against Stephen McCullagh is ‘dependent upon circumstantial evidence’

www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk

 

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Jury sent out in Natalie McNally murder trial

 

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Stephen McCullagh found guilty of murdering his pregnant partner Natalie McNally

RIP Natalie, I’m glad the jury saw through all the lies and distraction that went on in the trial.

 

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How McCullagh's plot to murder Natalie McNally unravelled

 

[Rikissa]

Articles from 24 March 2026:

Natalie McNally, 32, was 15 weeks pregnant when Stephen McCullagh violently attacked and killed her at her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, in December 2022.


McCullagh, 36, of Lisburn, was convicted by a jury during the fifth week of the trial at Belfast crown court. A jury of six men and six women reached their verdict after two hours of deliberations.

Man who used false gaming alibi found guilty of Natalie McNally’s murder

Belfast court heard how Stephen McCullagh livestreamed recording of himself as part of concocted cover story

www.theguardian.com

McCullagh was told he will face a life sentence. He will hear what the minimum term of his sentence will be at a hearing in May.

YouTube removes account after gamer found guilty of Natalie McNally’s murder

A jury found the 36-year-old, of Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, guilty at Belfast Crown Court on Monday of the murder of the 32-year-old, who was 15-weeks pregnant with their son

www.irishexaminer.com