Hillsborough match commander will go on trial for manslaughter

David Duckenfield's application to halt his prosecution has been rejected

Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield will face trial for the manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans by gross negligence. An application to stay the prosecution was denied by judge Sir Peter Openshaw. Duckenfield is a former chief superintendent of Yorkshire Police. He denies the 95 charges and will stand trial on January 14. The 73-year-old is accused after 96 Liverpool supporters died at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on April 15 1989. During the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, there was a crush at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium which caused the deaths. Both Duckenfield and Wednesday's club secretary Graham Mackrell, 68, will stand trial. Mackrell is charged with an offence involving the stadium safety certificate and a health and safety offence. The 96th victim, Tony Bland, died more than a year and a day after the incident so, under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution.