Natalie McNally Murder Trial: Pathologist Details Prolonged Assault & Injuries

Prolonged Assault Preceded Death of Pregnant Woman, Trial Hears

A pregnant woman was subjected to a “prolonged assault” involving multiple injuries, including strangulation, stab wounds, and blunt force trauma to the head, a court has heard. The trial of Stephen McCullagh, accused of the murder of Natalie McNally, began this week in Belfast Crown Court.

Natalie McNally, 32, was 15 weeks pregnant with a baby boy when she was killed at her home in Silverwood Green, Lurgan, on the night of December 18th, 2022. McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, denies the charge of murder.

State pathologist Dr. James Lyness detailed the extent of the injuries sustained by Ms. McNally during his testimony on Tuesday. The cause of death was determined to be a combination of compression of the neck, stab wounds to the neck, and blunt force trauma to the head.

Dr. Lyness outlined dozens of injuries to Ms. McNally’s head, face, neck, mouth, hands, arms, and lower body. A CT scan was performed to assess internal injuries, and the pathologist re-examined the body the following day. He described the case as “complex.”

“The neck and stab wounds could have caused death on their own,” Dr. Lyness told the court. “It is difficult to completely exclude the possibility that the multiple severe head injuries she had sustained may have played some part in the overall fatal sequence.”

The pathologist suggested that Ms. McNally, who was of slim build and 1.6m (5½ft) tall, may have raised her arms in defense, noting injuries to her fingertips. Bruising on the backs of her hands could indicate she had punched a hard surface or been struck during an attempt to protect herself.

Dr. Lyness stated that Ms. McNally may have survived for a “short period of time in an unconscious state,” and that there was bleeding on the surface of her brain. The stab wounds were inflicted with a bladed weapon, potentially the knife found at the scene.

When asked about the sequence of events, Dr. Lyness explained he could not definitively determine which of the three injuries – strangulation, blunt force trauma, or stabbing – occurred first.

He added that death would have occurred “quite rapidly” following the stabbing of the jugular vein. “What I believe is that this was a prolonged assault,” he concluded.

Earlier in the proceedings, a police officer who attended the scene became emotional while describing the discovery of blood in a dog bowl near Ms. McNally’s body. Officer Kyle Stewart testified that the bowl appeared to have been used to collect blood and that he observed a “puncture wound” on her neck.

Stewart also stated that McCullagh was “very upset, he was crying” when officers arrived at the house.

Prosecutors have alleged that McCullagh carried out a “planned, calculated, premeditated murder” that he “hoped to get away with.” The trial is expected to last approximately five weeks before Judge Mr. Justice Patrick Kinney.

Family members of Natalie McNally were present in the public gallery during the proceedings.