Stephen Lawrence pair face murder trial (Update: Guilty Verdict)

[Maggy J]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13438629

Two men are to stand trial for the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
Gary Dobson, 35, and David Norris, 34, are accused of killing the black teenager at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, on 22 April 1993.
Nobody has been convicted of the crime but a small team of Scotland Yard detectives has continued to investigate the 18-year-old's death.
Mr Dobson stood trial in 1996 over the murder - which he denied - and he was acquitted.
On Wednesday the Court of Appeal concluded that there was enough new and substantial evidence to allow Dobson's acquittal to be quashed.

The judges said: "After conducting a detailed examination of a large body of evidence, we have come to the conclusion there is sufficient, reliable and substantial evidence to justify the quashing of the acquittal and to order a new trial.

Well I didn't expect that..this case has so many twists and turns..

[Sasha222]

Would be interesting to see what new evidence they have come up with.

[Derek]

Obviously innocent until proven guilty and all that... but good, hopefully they get the verdict they deserve.

[Sasha222]

Would they have opened the case if there wasn't sufficient evidence to bring them to trial again?

[Derek]

Originally Posted by Sasha222

Would they have opened the case if there wasn't sufficient evidence to bring them to trial again?

Nope. There needs to be sufficient 'new' evidence to avoid someone just being retried endlessly until they get a guilty.

[Sasha222]

I hope so that this time that justice is done and the Lawerences can get the justice they waited all this time for.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by Derek

Nope. There needs to be sufficient 'new' evidence to avoid someone just being retried endlessly until they get a guilty.

The evidence is scientific, and relates to clothing. Its reliability is disputed by Gary Dobson.

I'm wondering just how new it is..

[Sasha222]

I wonder even if there under arrest? Wonder they didn't skip the country a long time agoo since it happened

The law was changed in 2005 allowing the Court of Appeal to quash an acquittal and order a retrial if "new and compelling" evidence is produced.

If we had double jeopardy, they wouldn't be going through another trial for the same crime.And if new and compelling evidence came to light after an acquittal double jeopardy laws ensure the guilty get away scot free.

Nobody wants to see people subject to a pernicious judicial system which brings people forward to trial for the same offense over and over, as if the objective is to find somebody guilty at all costs. But I see nothing particularly wrong with either convictions or aquittals being overturned after a serious judicial review and a re-trail ordered if new an compelling evidence comes to light.

Since the police investigation into his death was shown to be corrupted by wilful police incompetence and interference, 'seriously flawed' and the product of a police force which was 'institutionally racist,' the actuality of the presumption of innocence is difficult, if not impossible to maintain. Such a presumption can only be a façade in this case.

With this particular case it has been established by an independent inquiry into the original flawed police investigation that these young men were present and party to the assault on Stephen Lawrence in which he was stabbed. What has not been established in either of the previous trials, is who delivered the killing blow, at the second trial because the evidence of Stephen Lawrence friend, Dwayne Brooks, who was a witness to the murder was deemed inadmissible by the court.

[Osem]

Given all the publicity etc. over the years, I imagine they'll argue they won't be able to get a fair trial.

[denphone]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15716320

Two men are due to appear at the Old Bailey charged with the murder of black student Stephen Lawrence 18 years ago.

A jury is due to be picked, although the case will not open until later this week. It is expected to last around two months.

[Kymmy]

Both been found guilty and will be sentence tomorrow morning

Link to follow

---------- Post added at 14:47 ---------- Previous post was at 14:46 ----------

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16347953

[Peter_]

I wonder if they will get a real sentence or a nominal one.

[Russ]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think these guys annoyed so many people that even the BNP wanted them sent down

[Osem]

I predict an appeal. Can't see the sentence being anything other than harsh given all that's gone on.