They did murder Stephen Lawrence...

[sandyRoe]

Justice at long last for Stephen and his family.

http://news.uk.msn.co...-norris-found-guilty/

[sandyRoe]

Should these murderous savages ever be allowed to taste freedom again?

[jomifl]

It wouldn't be fair to give them a heavier sentence than all the other murderous thugs, but fairness is a bit one sided. I expect they will get 7 years reduced to 4, then 2 years off for good behaviour, then deduct the time they have already been in custody so about 18 months in clink eventually.

[jackthehat]

I think we can expect both to appeal very quickly.......

[sandyRoe]

These two must be feeling particularly sick if neither wielded the knife.

[Ankou]

i thought one or both were already banged up for other crimes.

a racist attack on a plainclothes black police officer (2002) and for dealing in drugs (2010).

[abstibus]

Didn't one of the mothers say under oath that her son was at home with her on the evening of the murder?
Do you think she will now be prosecuted?

[sandyRoe]

Her evidence is as clear an attempt to pervert the course of justice as could be seen.
She should have a taste of porridge too.

[ummmm]

The police knew they were guilty. They've been chasing them for near on 20 years...they just needed hard evidence.

[Ankou]

odd to think that had they been convicted the first time round, that they might be out by now.

[Barmaid]

I didn't hear the evidence that the mother gave. But it doesn't follow that because the jury obviously didn't believe her she was lying. It is possible that her evidence was discredited through cross examination and she was mistaken as to whether he was at home that night. After that length of time, I would imagine it would be reasonably easy to discredit her evidence. Of course, she could have been lying in an attempt to pervert the course of justice, but I do not think unless the whole of the evidence has been reported it is possible to reach that conclusion.

An honest witness can still be mistaken.

[sandyRoe]

I defer to m'learned friend Barmaid's opinion.

[albaqwerty]

Are they going to be sentenced as juveniles or adults? They were 16 and 17 respcetivly at that time.

[Ankou]

i think even with the evidence she gave that there was a gap in her timings in that evening and it was demonstrated the crime could have been comitted during this lapse.

[abstibus]

I defer also, Barmaid.
Can I be first to congratulate the police? They deserve our thanks for their persistence.

[ummmm]

Yep...they were guilty. Fair play to the police for not letting it drop...they know more than what's been reported.

[flump1]

Great result Sandy, and I hope the Lawrence family now get the peace they deserve. Justice at last .

[vodkancoke]

What happened to the other three suspects who were arrested the first time round? Was it just these 2 who carried out the murder? Sorry for my ignorance!

[Philtaz]

From my recollection of the events, far from being congratulated the Police were stung into action of this crime as a result of their ineptitude and blase handling of it the first time round.
The early stages of this trial too revealed some frankly shocking procedures, particularly in the gathering and storing of evidence/exhibits.
Hopefully Stephen Lawrence's family will now see justice served on his killers, justice that is long overdue.

[albaqwerty]

Phil, wan't it the Met who were found guilty of institutionalised racism in the way the conducted themselves 18 years ago?