No verdict on commander in 1989 Hillsborough soccer tragedy

LONDON – A British jury has failed to reach a decision on whether the man in control of police operations at the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium tragedy that left 96 people dead is guilty of gross negligence manslaughter.

Jurors at Preston Crown Court in northern England deliberated for eight days in the case of David Duckenfield, 74, who has denied 95 counts. The victims died in a crush in the stadium during a soccer match. There can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, because he died more than a year and a day after his injuries.

The jury did find a former official of the Sheffield Wednesday soccer club, Graham Mackrell, 69, guilty of failing to discharge his duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act. The club’s home ground was Hillsborough.