Life sentences for Lawrence killers
- 12 years ago
The headlines say it all.
The notorious 1993 murder of Stephen Lawrence has re-entered the public spotlight in the UK, as two men found guilty of the killing are handed life sentences.
Lawrence was stabbed to death at a bus stop in an unprovoked attack by a gang of white youths when he was just 18 years old.
An inquiry into the landmark case exposed what it called the "institutional racism" of London's police force.
Speaking outside court, Stephen's father Neville Lawrence said he hoped three other members of that gang who are still at large would eventually be caught.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FATHER OF MURDERED TEENAGER STEPHEN LAWRENCE, NEVILLE LAWRENCE:
"One of my greatest hopes is that these people have now realised that they've been found out and are now going to go and lay down in their bed and think that they weren't the only ones who were responsible for the death of my son. And they're going to give up the rest of the people."
Stephen's mother said the family can only now start to think about moving on.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MOTHER OF MURDERED TEENAGER STEPHEN LAWRENCE, DOREEN LAWRENCE:
"It's the beginning, I think, of starting a new life, because we've been in limbo for so long. So today is where we can start to look to moving on and just, I don't know, try and take control of my life once more."
The judge ruled that Gary Dobson should serve a minimum 15 years and David Norris 14 years.
The pair were found guilty on Tuesday after a six week trial that hinged on new scientific evidence presented by prosecutors.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.
The notorious 1993 murder of Stephen Lawrence has re-entered the public spotlight in the UK, as two men found guilty of the killing are handed life sentences.
Lawrence was stabbed to death at a bus stop in an unprovoked attack by a gang of white youths when he was just 18 years old.
An inquiry into the landmark case exposed what it called the "institutional racism" of London's police force.
Speaking outside court, Stephen's father Neville Lawrence said he hoped three other members of that gang who are still at large would eventually be caught.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FATHER OF MURDERED TEENAGER STEPHEN LAWRENCE, NEVILLE LAWRENCE:
"One of my greatest hopes is that these people have now realised that they've been found out and are now going to go and lay down in their bed and think that they weren't the only ones who were responsible for the death of my son. And they're going to give up the rest of the people."
Stephen's mother said the family can only now start to think about moving on.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MOTHER OF MURDERED TEENAGER STEPHEN LAWRENCE, DOREEN LAWRENCE:
"It's the beginning, I think, of starting a new life, because we've been in limbo for so long. So today is where we can start to look to moving on and just, I don't know, try and take control of my life once more."
The judge ruled that Gary Dobson should serve a minimum 15 years and David Norris 14 years.
The pair were found guilty on Tuesday after a six week trial that hinged on new scientific evidence presented by prosecutors.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.