Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Lisburn, County Antrim, is accused of murdering Natalie McNally, 32, who was found home in Lurgan, County Armagh, in December 2022. The prosecution alleges that McCullagh planned the killing, which was "planned, calculated and premeditated".
To create an alibi, McCullagh recorded a gaming session on the night of 14 and 15 December, which he later released on the evening of 18 December. Meanwhile, he allegedly took a bus to Lurgan, walked to McNally's home, killed her, and took a taxi home.
A state pathologist, Dr James Lyness, told the court that McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was subjected to a prolonged assault that included stab wounds to the neck, strangulation, and heavy blows to the head.
The jury was shown segments of the broadcast inagh appeared wearing he had "wanted to do a live stream for some time now". McCullagh's statements during the broadcast, including his claim that he was not leaving the house that night, were likely intended to reinforce his alibi.
However, a digital forensic analyst, Detective Constable Matthews, found extensive evidence indicating was pre-record live event.
The examination of McCullagh's computer and software revealed that the broadcast was recorded on 14 December and saved as a video file that was deleted in the early hours of 19 December, then removed from the computer's recycle bin.
After police arrested McCullagh and confronted him with the evidence, he made a statement admitting that the video stream had not been broadcast live, but was recorded several nights before the murder.
The jury was also shown a knife that police believe may have been used in the killing. The trial, which started on Monday and is expected to last five weeks, is being presided over by Mr Justice Kinney.
The case highlights the importance of digital forensic analysis in criminal as well as the potential for technology to be used to deceive As the trial continues, it is likely that the will present further evidence to support their allegations, and the jury will be tasked with determining the validity of McCullagh's alibi and his involvement in McN.
The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for the use of digital evidence in future cases, and will likely be closely watched by legal experts and the public alike.
