Neville Lawrence, the father of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, speaks at the charge filing press conference. He requires that David Norris identify the other gang members who shot his son, before parole prospects are even allowed to be considered. An 18-year-old Stephen Lawrence was brutally murdered by a white, racist mob in Eltham, southeast London, in April 1993. He was walking on the way to a bus stop with his friend Duwayne Brooks when he was stopped by police that day. The hate gang — which police suspect could be as large as six members — allegedly hurled a racist slur before the brutal beating.
David Norris, who is now 49, was convicted in 2011 with Gary Dobson of taking part in the murder of Stephen Lawrence. At London’s Blackfriars Crown Court in January 2012, Norris was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years and three months. He has pleaded guilty and confessed to being at the scene of the crime. He admits to punching Stephen but denies stabbing him, arguing he’s not at fault for the stabbing. As his 16th parole hearing approaches, Neville Lawrence stresses that all of those who participated must be held accountable.
Even so, Neville Lawrence insisted on naming Stephen Lawrence’s murderers. He seems to have a commitment that they need to be penalized and brought to justice. He just very much urges that Norris come out and name his accomplices. Only then should he even be considered for release.
If I were on that Parole Board, I would make him do that before letting him go. Only then would I even think of him for release,” Neville Lawrence further stated. He is demanding for justice as the family has been seeking for Norris’s upcoming parole hearing to be held public. They feel that transparency is key throughout this process. This hearing will be accompanied by visuals of Norris. Well, you’ll actually only see the back of his head on-camera.
The murder of Stephen Lawrence caused national uproar. In 1999, a public inquiry into his death led to the conclusion that the Metropolitan Police was institutionally racist. This conclusion laid bare the capacity of law enforcement to address racially motivated crimes. More importantly, it catalyzed culture-shifting reforms within the St.
In response to his father’s demands, Neville Lawrence expressed skepticism about Norris’s willingness to take responsibility. “Otherwise I don’t foresee a public apology to us,” he said. In fact, he’s so adamant that he’s convinced Norris needs to identify the co-conspirators who committed this atrocious crime. He still clings to this belief for dear life.
He could name the rest of the people that were with him. Neville, perhaps understandably, claimed that he’d be able to tell you who really stabbed Stephen. He asked for a public apology to my family for killing my son.
He then brought the discussion to his personal bias against Norris’s potential freedom. “I might be biased,” he said, “but I don’t feel that he should be allowed to walk the streets freely while my son can’t.
Neville Lawrence’s determination underscores the grief and unresolved pain that continues to affect his family more than three decades after Stephen’s tragic death. In regard to the need for transparency in the justice process, he said, “The more people that can see, the better.”
As the parole hearing approaches, the Lawrence family hopes for a broader recognition of the impact of racially motivated violence and a commitment from authorities to ensure justice is fully served.