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FACTFILE
22nd April
1993, 18 year old Stephen Lawrence was waiting
at a bus stop in Eltham, South London when he was
attacked by a gang of youths, they stabbed him to death.
Eyewitness claimed it was an unprovoked attack.
29 July
1993, Charges against two youths, are dropped. The
Crown Prosecution Service says there is insufficient
evidence to continue.
April 1994
The Lawrence family launch a private prosecution against
the initial two suspects and three others. The charges
against the original two suspects were dropped before
the trial due to lack of evidence
April 1996
Private prosecution collapses. Identification evidence
ruled inadmissible by the judge, leading to acquittal of
the other three suspects.
10th
February 1997, Coroners court concludes that
Lawrence's death was an "unlawful killing".
March 1997,
Police Complaints Authority (PCA) announces it will
carry out an investigation into the way the case had
been handled.
December
1997, Police Complaints Authority (PCA)
publish report, it concludes there was no racist
conduct, but confirms there were weaknesses and
omissions in the investigation. The Report is handed to
the Public Enquiry.
24th March
1998 Public hearings in the Stephen Lawrence
Inquiry begin.
29 June
1998, Inquiry finishes hearing evidence . Mrs
Lawrence calls for Chief of the Metropolitan Police, Sir
Paul Condon to resign.
A senior Crown
Prosecution Service lawyer accuses the Lawrence's of
wrecking future prospects of their son's killers being
brought to justice
February
1999, The Report of the public enquiry is published
it has over 70 recommendations, surrounding
investigative techniques and police protocol, virtually
nothing about the Stephen Lawrence murder.
18th May
2011, The CPS announced that one of the
original suspects, and another man, are to stand trial
for the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
Monday 14th
November 2011, A trial starts at the Old Bailey in
London, Two men stand accused of the murder of Stephen
Lawrence. Gary Dobson , aged 36 and David Norris
aged 35, both deny all charges against them. The first day is spent in selecting a jury. And
legal directions from the judge.
Wednesday
16th November 2011, Eyewitness Royston Westbrook
took the stand, he claimed Stephen and his friend were
chatting about football when a gang of "White Youths"
attacked them, the whole thing lasted less than ten
seconds.
The trial is
based mainly on forensic evidence a hair belonging to
Stephen Lawrence was found on a pair of Norris; jeans,
and a tiny bloodstain was found on Dobson's jacket
collar.
Wednesday
27th December 2011, The judge starts his summing up.
Mr Justice Treacy said "emotion such as sympathy for the
Lawrence family has no part to play".
"Equally, anger at the nature of the attack on Stephen
Lawrence cannot guide your decision," he said.
Friday 30th
December 2011, The jury retires to consider verdict.
They will have a break over the New Year holiday.
Tuesday 3rd
January 2012, 2:40pm Gary Dobson and David
Norris are found guilty of
murdering
Stephen Lawrence. The jury considered the verdict
for only eight and a half hours in total.
After the
verdict was announced Dobson shouted at the Jury, "You
have convicted an innocent man today, l hope you can
live with that". Norri, with a smile, waved at
the public gallery !
Wednesday
4th January 2012, Sentenced as juveniles because
they were under 18 at the time of the attack, Both
men given life sentences,
Dobson will
serve a minimum of 15 years and two months and Norris
must serve a minimum of 14 years and three months.
Mr Justice
Treacy, said the crime was committed for no other reason
than racial hatred.
The judge added the resulting sentences were lower than
some would expect "but I am constrained by Parliament".
Monday 30th
January 2012, Confirmed that Norris and Dobson are
to appeal against their conviction.
Norris' lawyer
has said that the appeal will be on the grounds that
about two thirds of the way through the trial what had
been a scientific case became a case about a
surveillance video.
Also confirmed
that the attorney General is to review the sentences
handed down.
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