20 January 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

18 years on: reflections on the Stephen Lawrence verdict

originally by: brap
published: January 2012

History will recognise that the indefatigable campaigning of Stephen Lawrence’s parents has done more to change this country than a mountain of race relations legislation. brap CEO Joy Warmington reflects on the lessons of the Stephen Lawrence murder.

I, like many others, waited with bated breath for the outcome of the Stephen Lawrence retrial – and felt a sense of immediate relief at the conviction of his killers. But now some of these immediate emotions have dissipated, I wanted to reflect on what this case has meant for the race equality movement and for wider issues of justice within our society.

Firstly, of course, we must be thankful that after longer than Stephen Lawrence himself lived, two of the teenager’s killers are now behind bars.

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”.

3 January 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Stephen Lawrence murder: Dobson and Norris found guilty

originally by: BBC News
published: 3rd January 2012

Two men have been convicted of the racist murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, 18 years after he was stabbed to death near a south London bus stop. Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty by an Old Bailey jury after a trial based on forensic evidence. Scientists found a tiny blood stain on Dobson’s jacket that could only have come from Mr Lawrence. As he was led away, Dobson told the jury they had condemned an “innocent man”. Sentencing will be on Wednesday.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC’s Panorama, Stephen’s mother Doreen said: “I don’t forgive the boys who killed Stephen. They don’t think they have done anything wrong.