7 January 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

The Stephen Lawrence case and another Injustice

originally by: Film Blog – guardian.co.uk
published: 5th January 2012

The news about the Lawrence verdict and sentencing took me back to the mid-1990s – the case has been hanging for such a shameful length of time – when we journalists stood around gaping at Paul Dacre’s sensational “Murderers” headline in the Daily Mail, and discussing what it all meant. (The paper challenged the five suspects to sue: did that mean sue for criminal libel? For which legal aid was available? Well, they didn’t sue.)

My next thought was to pick up the phone and call the film-maker Ken Fero, who, with Tariq Mehmood, directed one of the most sensational documentaries I think I’ve ever reviewed: the 2001 film Injustice: The Movie. This was about the extraordinary, continuing phenomenon of black and Asian people dying mysteriously in police custody without any prosecution being brought.

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7 January 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Lawrence convictions should be treated as new evidence of a ‘joint enterprise’

by: Society of Black Lawyers
released: January 2012

The Society of Black Lawyers is calling for the immediate prosecution of the three remaining men who are suspected of being involved in the racist murder of black teenager, Stephen Lawrence in 1993. The call follows the conviction and sentencing of David Norris and Gary Dobson who were both given life sentences at the Old Bailey today.

Norris was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years and three months and Dobson received 15 years and two months. Both were sentenced under old guidelines and as if they were juveniles because both were under 18 when the crime was committed.

3 January 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Doreen Lawrence: convictions are no cause for celebration

originally by: The Guardian
published: 3rd January 2012

Stephen Lawrence’s mother, Doreen, said the convictions of Gary Dobson and David Norris for the murder of her son were not a cause for celebration, saying “How can I celebrate when my son lies buried?” Speaking outside the Old Bailey in central London, Mrs Lawrence was critical of the original Scotland Yard investigation into Stephen’s death in 1993, saying: “Had the police done their job properly, I would have spent the last 18 years grieving for my son rather than fighting to get his killers to court.”

The victim’s father, Neville, said he was “full of joy and relief that two of my son’s killers had been convicted” as a statement was read out by his solicitors.

Mr Lawrence said he was conscious there were five or six attackers that night and that he didn’t think he would “be able to rest until they are brought to justice”.