Stephen Lawrence's father has declared that one of his son's killers should reveal the remaining gang members participating in the killing before being considered for parole.
Release Review Nears for Convicted Killer
Neville Lawrence, now 83, is preparing for David Norris's first appearance before the Parole Board where he will plead for his release.
Norris, now 49 years old, was given to a life sentence with a minimum term of over 14 years in January 2012, more than 18 years after Stephen was murdered by a racist gang while waiting for a bus home.
Special Court Proceedings
The release review will be conducted in prison with a live stream transmitted to a courtroom at the Royal Courts of Justice. Norris will appear on camera, but just the rear view will be shown to observers.
Permission was given for his parole hearing to be public after media organizations petitioned with the backing of Stephen's family, with Neville Lawrence saying: "Increased public visibility, the better."
Admission and Continuing Denial
In case papers outlining the ruling, it was disclosed that Norris currently admits he was present at the scene of the murder, but asserts that he merely struck Stephen and was not stabbed him.
Lawrence emphasized the importance of learning Stephen's killers being named and brought to justice. "It's important for me because of what these people have done," he said.
"They destroyed my life. They made me not to be able to live in this country. They've robbed me of the chance of seeing my son getting married, of having grandchildren."
"Norris has taken me of so much that there is no way I can even begin to consider that he should be permitted to walk free."
Case Background
Law enforcement believe Stephen was killed by a gang of up to six people in Eltham, with just two having been brought to justice – Norris and Gary Dobson.
The two men were convicted by a jury at the Old Bailey based on tiny forensic traces collected using advanced scientific methods.
Additional individuals in the case included the Acourt brothers, who have since been found guilty of unrelated drug offences, and Luke Knight. A sixth suspect, Matthew White, passed away in 2021.
Ongoing Review
The police standards body is conducting a examination of the latest phase of the inquiry into Stephen's death following the convictions of Dobson and Norris.
Family's Anguish
Lawrence voiced being "frustrated" at the pace of the legal process.
He has previously said he would be willing to pardon his son's killers if they demonstrated regret. He stated that naming names would be a sign Norris was remorseful and of a possible shift in outlook.
"Were I on that Parole Board, he would have to do that before I even consider of him coming out."
He added: "He could name the other individuals that were with him. He should name the person that actually stabbed Stephen and make a public apology to my family for killing my son."
He remarked: "I don't think he'll make a public statement to us," adding: "I may be biased but I don't believe he should be able to walk the street free – my son can't."
Tragic Events
Stephen was on his way to board public transport with his friend Duwayne Brooks in southeast London in April 1993 when he was attacked and killed by a gang who used racist terms before they struck.
Investigation Challenges
Poor handling and claims of misconduct, focused on Norris's drug dealer father, plagued the case into Stephen's death for years.
There was also outrage when it emerged that undercover officers from the Metropolitan police had monitored justice campaigners assisting the family.
In the late 1990s, a official investigation into Stephen's death concluded that the force was systematically discriminatory.
