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Pregnant Woman's Murder Called 'Pre-Meditated Act'
23 Feb
Summary
- Murder of pregnant Natalie McNally described as planned and calculated.
- Accused allegedly faked distress and staged a cover-up after the killing.
- Victim suffered fatal neck compression and stab wounds.
The trial of Stephen McCullagh, 36, accused of murdering 32-year-old Natalie McNally and her unborn child, has begun in Belfast Crown Court. Ms. McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was attacked and died in her Lurgan home approximately one week before Christmas in 2022. The prosecution asserts the murder was "planned, calculated, pre-meditated," and carried out by McCullagh with the intent to deceive.
Prosecuting barrister Charles MacCreanor KC presented the case, alleging McCullagh concocted a cover story involving a livestream of video games. However, the prosecution claims McCullagh actually traveled to Ms. McNally's home and inflicted fatal injuries, including neck compression and stab wounds. His subsequent 999 call, made on December 19, 2022, was described as a staged performance.
Paramedics and police found Ms. McNally deceased at the top of her stairs. They described McCullagh as visibly upset and performing CPR, which the prosecution argues was part of an elaborate act to appear innocent. The estimated time of death was between 8:50 pm and 9:30 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2022.
