Stephen McCullagh Appeals Murder Sentence for Pregnant Partner Natalie McNally
Quick Look
- Stephen McCullagh, 36, has appealed his 31-year sentence for the murder of his pregnant partner Natalie McNally, 32, in Lurgan in December 2022.
- He was found guilty after a trial revealed his YouTube alibi was pre-recorded.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Stephen McCullagh was found guilty in March 2023 of murdering his pregnant partner Natalie McNally in December 2022, despite his claim of a YouTube live stream alibi which was later proven to be pre-recorded.
Stephen McCullagh has lodged an appeal against the sentence he received for murdering his pregnant partner Natalie McNally.
McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, denied murdering Natalie, who was killed in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022.
He was found guilty in March, after a trial lasting more than four weeks.
The 31-year sentence is the minimum term McCullagh must serve in custody before he can be considered for release by parole commissioners.
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has been notified that an appeal against the sentence has been lodged.
Natalie was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed.
On 19 December 2022, McCullagh was arrested at the scene after apparently discovering her body.
But he was released by police after he told them he could not have killed her because at the time of her death he was live streaming on YouTube.
Detectives later uncovered evidence showing the YouTube gaming stream he claimed provided an alibi had in fact been pre-recorded and broadcast as though it were live.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Stephen McCullagh's appeal against his sentence will proceed through the legal system.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the specific grounds for McCullagh's appeal?
- When will the appeal be heard?
- What is the likelihood of the appeal succeeding?
