Prosecution Highlights Stephen McCullagh's Lies Post-Natalie McNally's Death
The prosecution in the Natalie McNally murder trial has asserted to the jury that Stephen McCullagh "lied, lied and lied again" in the weeks following her death.
In his final submissions, Charles MacCreanor KC described the case against McCullagh as "compelling" and stated that the evidence supports his guilt in the murder of Natalie.
Stephen McCullagh, aged 36, from Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, County Antrim, denies the charge of murdering his pregnant partner Natalie at her Silverwood Green residence in Lurgan on 18 December 2022.
The defence confirmed on Monday that McCullagh would not be giving evidence in his own defence.
On Tuesday, MacCreanor questioned the jury:
"What is his true reason not to give evidence? One reason could be that there is no answer he could ever give that could stand up to scrutiny."
He further added:
"If you were innocent and you thought you could explain, would you not give evidence?"
The court heard MacCreanor's assertion that if an innocent explanation existed, it would have been presented by now.
Gaming Stream Evidence Presented Again
The jury was shown once more the gaming stream that had been pre-recorded days before Natalie’s death.
MacCreanor told the jury that this stream was "a complete fabrication" and that McCullagh "repeatedly lied to different people" about the stream being live.
McCullagh admitted to police in February 2023 that the stream was not live.
MacCreanor emphasized:
"That period between 6pm and midnight is the period that Natalie McNally was killed."
He asked the jury:
"Is that an innocent coincidence?"
He stated that this was for the jury to decide.
The court was informed that it took McCullagh eight police interviews and 44 days after Natalie’s murder before he admitted the stream was pre-recorded.
MacCreanor KC summarized:
"He has lied and lied again. Lied to Natalie McNally. Lied to his friends. Lied to Natalie McNally's family. Lied to police at the scene. Lied to police at different time and different dates."
Natalie McNally's Wake and McCullagh's Conduct
The court heard that McCullagh was "warmly embraced" by Natalie McNally's family during her wake.
The prosecution stated that the family left him alone with their daughter so he could say his goodbyes.
MacCreanor told the court that McCullagh "continued to lie to Natalie's family saying he was live streaming. Think about that. Why?"
He added that McCullagh showed family members videos of the stream at the wake, using the video as "a prop" and "doing that at a wake."
"There were lies wherever you looked," MacCreanor said, describing McCullagh's behaviour as "just a play act" and "putting on a show."
The jury was reminded that internet searches for bus and train timetables between Lisburn, Dunmurry, and Lurgan were found on McCullagh's computer on the day of Natalie's death.
MacCreanor noted that McCullagh was searching for a bus that "just so happened to be the same bus the person of interest gets on."
Evidence from Former Partner
MacCreanor highlighted testimony from a former partner of McCullagh who stated he assaulted her after discovering messages to another man on her phone in December 2019.
The prosecutor said McCullagh had indicated he struggled at Christmas due to family deaths.
He continued:
"Fast forward to December 2022. The prosecution don't have to prove motive but this was Christmas, it was a partner and there were messages."
MacCreanor pointed out that McCullagh had the PIN for Natalie's phone, which contained messages with other men, some sexual in nature and others discussing a possible breakup in the new year.
The prosecutor then referenced CCTV footage showing the person of interest travelling to and from Natalie's home, concluding with a taxi ride to McCullagh's front door.
Referring to a photograph of McCullagh wearing a hat and wig found on Instagram, MacCreanor said the person of interest in the CCTV had "adopted a look that he'd just happened to use."
The jury was reminded that McCullagh's friend Anne testified that despite suggestions he only owned two jackets, he also possessed a distinctive weatherproof coat purchased from a thrift shop.
She provided a photograph of McCullagh wearing this coat.
The prosecutor concluded:
"There is a sequence to this that knits and ties together. It's him, I have no doubt."
McCullagh denies the charge against him.
