I have completely mixed feelings to be honest and I accept my opinions maybe somewhat influenced by my proximity to the Hillsborough families and support of Liverpool FC.
On a separate note, I start my PhD thesis in September covering critical victimology and the victimhood narrative, post Hillsborough. (I write as a legal academic, not a LFC fan (hopefully))
Firstly, after 30 years, following the Hillsborough Independent Panel Report and 2nd inquests, which completely exonerated the LFC fans, whilst placing the blame clearly at the doorstep of the police, it seems hard to believe that the sole person to be found CRIMINALLY guilty of an offence relating to the Hillsborough Disaster is an ex SWFC safety officer, who now faces the maximum sentence of an unlimited fine.
Duckenfield has a case to answer. It has strongly been rumoured that the jury weighting was 9-3 in favour of guilt but we will never know this and the weighting will never be released publicly.
On the one hand, even after 30 years, the families of the victims still don’t have closure. Why should they not have the right to a retrial when Duckenfiehd clearly still has a case to answer and many people (including people within the legal profession) believe him guilty. BUT on the other hand, here is a 74 year old man, who despite what some people say, did his best on the day. His efforts fell well short of the required standard, but were part of much wider failings on behalf of the police, stadium, ambulance services, FA, government.....
A retrial will not bring back the 96. It may bring closure. But what if again there us a hung jury or even if Duckenfield is found not guilty. Imagine the emotional harm this would cause the families, many of whom are in old age now.
Ultimately, there are no winners and never will be. Whilst Duckenfield still has a case to answer, some families passionately support a retrial, whilst others want to get on with their lives. What happened at Hillsborough will always be on Duckenfield’s conscience but sadly moving forwards nothing can bring back the 96 and nothing can bring closure to everybody.
JFT96