Man Accused of Using Pre-Recorded Gaming Stream as Murder Alibi
A Northern Ireland man allegedly fabricated an alibi for his pregnant girlfriend's murder by uploading a pre-recorded gaming session to YouTube and presenting it as a live stream, Belfast Crown Court heard this week. Prosecutors claim Stephen McCullagh, 36, broadcast a six-hour recording of himself playing Grand Theft Auto and Robot Wars to create the false impression he was at home, while actually traveling 17 miles to commit murder.
Details of the Alleged Crime
McCullagh, of Lisburn, County Antrim, denies murdering Natalie McNally, 32, who was found dead at her Lurgan, County Armagh home on December 18, 2022. The prosecution alleges the killing was "planned, calculated and premeditated," with McCullagh recording the gaming session on December 14-15, then broadcasting it on his YouTube account Votesaxon07 on the evening of December 18.
Meanwhile, prosecutors say he disguised himself, took a bus to Lurgan, walked to McNally's home, killed her, and returned by taxi. State pathologist Dr James Lyness testified that McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant, suffered a prolonged assault including stab wounds to the neck, strangulation, and heavy blows to the head.
The Gaming Broadcast Evidence
The jury of six men and six women viewed segments of the broadcast showing McCullagh wearing a Santa hat and telling viewers: "I wanted to do a live stream for some time now." He claimed technical issues with an old computer prevented him from checking live chat, drank Guinness and Baileys, and repeatedly emphasized he was staying home. "I am not leaving the house tonight," he stated during the stream.
Digital forensic analyst Detective Constable Matthews testified that examination of McCullagh's computer provided "extensive evidence indicating that the broadcast was pre-recorded and later streamed as a live event." The recording was made on December 14, saved as a video file deleted in the early hours of December 19, then removed from the computer's recycle bin.
Police Investigation and Trial Proceedings
After police arrested McCullagh and confronted him about the video not being live, he admitted in a statement it was recorded several nights before the murder. The jury was shown a knife police believe may have been the murder weapon. McCullagh visited McNally's home on December 19, the day after the murder, and made a 999 call claiming he discovered her body.
Mr Justice Kinney is presiding over the trial, which began Monday and is expected to last five weeks. The case highlights disturbing allegations of using digital technology to create false alibis in violent crimes.
