Liverpool fans unlawfully killed in 1989 Hillsborough disaster, jury rules
LONDON -- A jury at the Hillsborough stadium disaster inquests has ruled that the 96 Liverpool Football Club supporters who died in the crush were unlawfully killed and their behaviour did not contribute to the incident.
Loud cheers and shouts of "Yes" and "Hallelujah" from families of the victims were heard in court in response to the verdict of the Warrington jury.
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Families, who fought 27 years against South Yorkshire police claims that erratic and drunk behaviour from Liverpool supporters caused the disaster, felt vindicated after the verdict.
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They sung "You'll Never Walk Alone," Liverpool's anthem, outside the court.
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The jury of six women and three men said police planning errors, as well as their lack of coordination, communication, command and control caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that caused the massacre.
After the crush, they ruled, there was error and omission by the police which contributed to the loss of lives.
Following the verdict, the Crown Prosecution Service said it will "formally consider whether any criminal charges should be brought against any individual or corporate body".
The disaster happened at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Sheffield Wednesday stadium on 15 April 1989. Liverpool supporters were crushed to death on the terraces after police decided to let them enter the ground through an open gate.
In the first inquest, in 1991, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
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