Overview
- Testifying for a third day, the ex-partner told Belfast Crown Court he did not kill Natalie McNally, was not at Silverwood Green on December 18, 2022, and did not recruit anyone to harm her.
- He denied injuring his hands on the night of the killing, saying marks shown in police photos came from punching walls on other occasions.
- Defense counsel alleged he was "lying and lying and lying again" to police about his contact with Ms McNally; he admitted "white lies" but said he later corrected them.
- He acknowledged factory-resetting his phone after learning of her death, saying he was worried about drug-related messages, as the judge warned him about self-incrimination.
- The witness again turned to the dock to accuse Stephen McCullagh, who has pleaded not guilty; a jury of six men and six women is hearing the five-week trial after the accused previously pointed police toward the ex-partner.