Man accused of stabbing pregnant girlfriend ‘faked GTA livestream as alibi’
Stephen McCullagh, 36, is on trial at Belfast Crown Court accused of murdering his girlfriend Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed
Stephen McCullagh is on trial for murder(Image: Belfast Live)
A man is accused of faking a live stream video while he allegedly murdered his pregnant girlfriend, a court has heard. Stephen McCullagh allegedly broadcasted himself live whilst playing Grand Theft Auto, consuming alcohol, using profanity and at one moment repeatedly yelling at a game character to die.
In the footage, he told fellow players: “I’m not leaving the house tonight,” and said he wouldn’t be able to interact on the live chat due to “technical difficulties.”
At Belfast Crown Court, the prosecution said the footage was pre-recorded and transmitted as live on December 18, whilst McCullagh disguised himself and caught a bus to Lurgan before walking to Natalie McNally’s home where he killed her.
They claim he subsequently took a taxi home before returning to 32-year-old Miss McNally’s residence on the evening of December 19, when he placed a 999 call. Earlier this week, the trial at Belfast Crown Court heard Miss McNally endured a sustained attack, including stab wounds to the neck, strangulation and severe blows to the head.
The prosecution has argued that her murder was “planned, calculated and premeditated, one which he (McCullagh) hoped to get away with”. A jury of six men and six women has been selected to serve during the trial, expected to last approximately five weeks, under Mr Justice Patrick Kinney.
On Wednesday, McCullagh sat in the dock donning a grey T-shirt, flanked by two prison guards, not far from the public gallery filled with Miss McNally’s family and friends.
McCullagh’s six-hour livestream, promoted on his social media as a surprise from 6pm, was titled The Violent Night Christmas Live Gaming Stream. The broadcast began with the then 32-year-old, known on YouTube as Votesaxon07, sporting a Santa hat, greeting viewers, and discussing the challenges of live broadcasting, admitting he didn’t know how long it would go on for.
He mentioned due to technical difficulties he wouldn’t be able to interact with the live chat, advising viewers to “chat amongst themselves”, and also stated he wouldn’t use his phone.
He presented the game Grand Theft Auto as a childhood favourite, and whilst pouring himself a Guinness, quipped about drinking and driving, but clarified: “In the game by the way, I’m not leaving the house tonight.”
McCullagh also claimed he hadn’t had a drink in months, before downing a large portion of the pint, remarking: “I could drink that stuff like it’s water.”
As the stream progressed, McCullagh admitted: “I’m a very angry gamer by the way.”
Subsequently, he seemed to be getting intoxicated, yelling “die, why won’t you die” at one of the characters during a brutal section of the game. Previously, the jury had been presented with a knife discovered at the murder scene, along with a piece of paper containing details about Miss McNally’s diabetes, a metal bowl, and photographs of McCullagh’s residence.
Prosecution barrister Bobbie-Leigh Herdman read aloud portions of agreed facts to the court. These encompassed numerous WhatsApp messages sent between McCullagh and Miss McNally in the days leading up to her death.
During the exchanges on December 14, which appeared warm and loving in nature, the couple chatted about work, Christmas decorations and Miss McNally’s pregnancy and forthcoming maternity leave, complete with smiley face emojis.
Messages from December 18 were also presented, with Miss McNally confirming her safe arrival home, and McCullagh playfully ribbing her about whether she would reach her parents’ house in time for the World Cup France vs Argentina fixture.
They continued messaging throughout the match, before at 5.57pm McCullagh announced he was “off to stream the night away, wish me luck”, prompting Miss McNally to respond: “Good luck, I might have a peek at your livestream later.”
The trial continues.
