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Stephen Lawrence murder. Verdict: guilty

153 replies

HedleyLamarr · 03/01/2012 14:49

From the BBC, Dobson and Norris both found guilty of murder.

OP posts:
grumpypants · 03/01/2012 15:17

I'm not surprised really. I suspect that the images from the last time (fists in the air, jeering etc) have stayed with a lot of people.

franke · 03/01/2012 15:22

Probably I worded my post badly beme. I'm please they've been convicted, but just feel slightly uneasy because the evidence seemed a little weak to me. I'm sure they'll appeal, but I hope the conviction stands on appeal.

franke · 03/01/2012 15:24

I mean the evidence presented in this trial seemed weak. I have no doubt they were there and were involved in Stephen Lawrence's murder.

limitedperiodonly · 03/01/2012 15:24

But franke what grounds would they have for appeal?

I also think the evidence was as strong as it is in many cases. If it was weak the defence could have mounted a more robust challenge.

Caoimhe · 03/01/2012 15:28

Well done to that jury! Justice at last for the Lawrences. Pity they can't nail the rest of the racist thugs involved.

bemybebe · 03/01/2012 15:30

not yet

TimothyClaypoleLover · 03/01/2012 15:31

This is great news, I was so worried they would get off.

VivaLeBeaver · 03/01/2012 15:31

So how come only these two were retried when there were 5 or 6 in the first trial? Have the others got away with it?

Kitchentiles · 03/01/2012 15:33

Cold case reviews are one of the best things about the police in this country. They're always willing to go back and look again, regardless of how long it's been.

TimothyClaypoleLover · 03/01/2012 15:34

I guess they could only find evidence against these two and not the others involved. At least they got 2 of them, that must be some comfort to the Lawrence family.

franke · 03/01/2012 15:34

limited - I don't know! I'm just speaking as a non-legal bod. Please understand I really welcome this conviction, and I hope it sticks. But something about the evidence presented makes me feel a little uneasy - truly I hope I'm worrying over nothing.

wahwahwah · 03/01/2012 15:35

I wonder what they'll get?

AmberLeaf · 03/01/2012 15:36

Great news.

Wish they could get the others involved too. [who I think were the ones that actually killed him]

cartblanche · 03/01/2012 15:38

Can't quite believe it after all this time. There undoubtedly will be an appeal so, after 18 years, I am not holding my breath. I am also intrigued as to what this means to the others that were accused of being involved - am assuming that no new forensic evidence was forthcoming relating to them?

happygilmore · 03/01/2012 15:42

Thank goodness, never thought I would see this day. I only hope the others will face justice too.

RIP Stephen.

MildlyNarkyPuffin · 03/01/2012 15:47

According to the Guardian, the evidence was recovered from clothes taken from the suspects homes 2 weeks after the murder. In 2008 they were re-examined, and using tecniques that weren't available during the earlier investigations, they managed to recoved blood and hair that was identified as coming from Stephen. That combined with the other evidence was enough.

No chance of an appeal.

limitedperiodonly · 03/01/2012 15:49

No franke I'm sure you do want to see these men go down as much as everyone else.

It's just that it's not that easy to get an appeal. Though there's a popular view that it is easy - probably stoked by newspapers and films.

You have to find new evidence or prove the trial judge made an error, maybe something else too. Good luck to them with that.

The forensic evidence was sound - fibres, blood.

The defence kept on about cross-contamination but they didn't explain how Stephen's blood, described by the prosecution as having soaked into Dobson's collar, got there when Stephen's clothes were throughly dried days before the defendants were arrested.

Neither did the defendants explain why they said they didn't know each other when photos taken four days after the attack show that they clearly did.

Neither were their alibis plausible. That's strong circumstantial evidence, I might be wrong, but I think it's a myth that you can't ever convict on those grounds.

The flip side to their difficulty in getting an appeal works for the others said to be involved. You can't appeal without grounds and you can't charge without grounds either. They haven't found compelling evidence against any others yet.

limitedperiodonly · 03/01/2012 15:51

wahwahwah Life. The judge will set a minimum tariff after which they can be considered for parole just like everyone else.

SquashedSquirrel · 03/01/2012 15:51

Two down, three more to go!

bemybebe · 03/01/2012 15:52

"No franke I'm sure you do want to see these men go down as much as everyone else."

IF you (franke) think that the evidence was weak, why do you want these men to "go down" as much as those who think the evidence was strong?? I still do not get it.

happygilmore · 03/01/2012 15:53

good post limited. To add to that, the surveillance video clearly showed they held very violent, racist views. The transcripts of them were truly shocking.

limitedperiodonly · 03/01/2012 15:53

Sorry franke that sounded pompous. What I mean is have faith. It's a happy day, well, I hope you know what I mean.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 03/01/2012 15:55

Some justice at last!

I hope Stephen's family are able to find some peace now.

RIP Stephen

herbietea · 03/01/2012 15:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bemybebe · 03/01/2012 15:56

FWIW there were reports on Sky that as the crime is dating back to 1993, the judge will have to look at sentencing policies prevalent back then.

I wonder what it means for the sentencing that these two were free for almost 20 years going about their normal lives after committing this crime.

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