Court selects jury in Hillsborough trial

David Duckenfield, 74, who was Hillsborough match commander, appeared in Preston Crown Court alongside former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, who is charged with contravening the stadium's safety certificate and a health and safety offence.

The hearing began shortly after 11am on Monday with the selection of the jury.

About 100 potential jurors were asked to fill in questionnaires that asked if they were supporters of Liverpool, Everton, Sheffield Wednesday or Nottingham Forest football clubs and 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, who both wore suits and sat alongside solicitors, were asked to stand so the panel could see whether they recognised them and a list of witnesses to be called was read out.

Fourteen family members sat in court. Other relatives of the 96 victims watched from a court annexe while some were able to watch via videolink at the Cunard building in Liverpool.

Duckenfield previously appeared via videolink to enter a not guilty plea to the charge of gross negligence manslaughter.

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, 69, 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.

Ninety-six men, women and children died in the crush in pens at the Leppings Lane end of the Sheffield Wednesday ground at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Australian Associated Press