Emotional Outburst in Court as Ex-Partner Accuses Defendant of Murder
In a dramatic moment at Belfast Crown Court, the former partner of murdered Natalie McNally directly addressed the defendant, Stephen McCullagh, stating: "She was my best friend and you killed her." The emotional outburst occurred during the third week of McCullagh's trial for the murder of Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death in 2022.
Trial Details and Defendant's Plea
Stephen McCullagh, aged 36 and residing at Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick Kinney, is expected to last approximately five weeks, with a jury of six men and six women sworn in to serve. McCullagh has previously claimed that Ms McNally's ex-partner was responsible for her murder, a claim now under intense scrutiny in court.
Complex Relationship Between Victim and Ex-Partner
The former partner, who cannot be named due to a court order, testified about his relationship with Ms McNally, which began in 2019 after they met on the dating app Tinder. He moved into her house initially but moved out in 2020 after securing a Housing Executive flat. Despite both entering new relationships, they maintained intermittent contact, exchanging messages and meeting for sexual encounters, including one in October 2022.
The court heard detailed evidence from their communications via email and WhatsApp, which included arguments about their relationship, Ms McNally's pets, family issues, and discussions about McCullagh. Sexual messages and multiple requests for meetings were also read aloud, painting a picture of an ongoing, albeit complicated, connection.
Ex-Partner's Testimony and Regrets
During his testimony, the man described Ms McNally as his best friend, stating, "Natalie was my best friend, and the relationship never ended to be honest as far as friends went." He admitted to getting together with his current partner in 2022 but continued to stay in touch with Ms McNally. Reflecting on their last meeting in October 2022 at her home in Lurgan, he expressed regret, saying, "The last time I saw Natalie, she was lying on her bed on her side, I could tell she was raging at me... That memory of the last time seeing her, I really wish it was something nicer."
He acknowledged his own shortcomings, admitting, "I'm not proud of it, I'm not proud of any of these text messages. I definitely took advantage of Natalie, I feel horrible about it." He emphasized that their relationship extended beyond the messages, saying, "There was a lot more to me and Natalie's relationship than these text messages, I knew her for four years, she was my best friend." He praised her character, adding, "She was the nicest girl ever, she would have done anything for anybody, she helped me in so much and I feel horrible... I just wish I had been better to her."
Police Involvement and Alibi
The man recounted being approached by police to give a statement after Ms McNally's murder and later being arrested. He stated, "I wanted to help as much as possible, I knew I hadn't done it so I had nothing to worry about... when it was explained I was under arrest, my jaw dropped, 'are you serious, I'll go with you and help, but the truth will always come out'." He provided an alibi for the night of the murder, claiming he was watching the World Cup final with his partner at their home.
Key Evidence Presented in Court
Additional evidence revealed that McCullagh had the password to open Ms McNally's phone, a detail that may be crucial in the ongoing investigation. The trial continues to unfold, with the prosecution and defense presenting their cases in a case that has gripped the public's attention due to its tragic nature and the emotional testimonies from those close to the victim.
