A judge in the trial of Solider F, a former British paratrooper accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday, has ruled that hearsay evidence from two other former soldiers will be allowed.
Soldier is charged with the murders of 22-year-old Jim Wray and 26-year-old William McKinney in Glenfada Park North on 30 January 1972.
In a ruling in Belfast Crown Court, Judge Patrick Lynch said that by its own acknowledgement the prosecution case “is totally dependent upon hearsay statements attributed to two soldiers”.
He then said that after careful consideration, he had determined that the statements from soldiers G and H should be admitted into evidence.
He said it would be inappropriate at this stage to give reasons for his decision.
The trial has been adjourned until Friday, with the first evidence due to be heard on Monday.
A total of 13 people were shot and killed by the parachute regiment following a Civil Rights march in the Bogside area of Derry on the afternoon of Sunday, 30 January, 1972.
A former paratrooper known as Soldier F, who cannot be identified, has been charged with murdering William McKinney and James Wray.
He is also charged with five attempted murders during the incident, namely of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, Patrick O’Donnell and a person unknown.
He denies all the charges against him.