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Stephen Lawrence's father has stated that one of his son's killers should reveal the other accomplices participating in the killing before being considered for early release.

Release Review Nears for Jailed Murderer

Stephen's father, now 83, is awaiting David Norris's first appearance before the Parole Board where he will plead for his release.

Norris, now 49 years old, was given to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years and three months in January 2012, over 18 years after Stephen was murdered by a racially motivated group while waiting for a bus home.

Unique Hearing Arrangements

The release review will be conducted in prison with a live stream broadcast to a courtroom at the Royal Courts of Justice. Norris will be visible on camera, but only the back of his head will be shown to observers.

Permission was given for his parole hearing to be public after media organizations applied with the support of Stephen's parents, with Neville Lawrence stating: "Increased public visibility, the better."

Confession and Continuing Denial

In official documents detailing the decision, it was disclosed that Norris now accepts he was there at the location of the murder, but claims that he merely struck Stephen and was not the one who stabbed him.

Lawrence emphasized the importance of learning Stephen's killers being named and brought to justice. "It matters for me because of what these people have done," he said.

"They ruined my life. They've caused me not to be able to live in this country. They've robbed me of the opportunity of seeing my son marrying, of having his grandchildren."

"This man has taken me of so much that there is no way I can even begin to consider that he should be allowed to be released."

Case Background

Law enforcement believe Stephen was murdered by a gang of up to six people in Eltham, with just two having been convicted – Norris and Gary Dobson.

The pair were found guilty by a court at the Old Bailey based on tiny forensic traces collected using advanced scientific methods.

Additional individuals in the case included Jamie and Neil Acourt, who have since been found guilty of unrelated drug offences, and Luke Knight. A sixth suspect, Matthew White, died in 2021.

Current Investigation

The police standards body is conducting a examination of the latest phase of the investigation into Stephen's death following the guilty verdicts of Dobson and Norris.

Family's Anguish

Lawrence voiced being "disappointed" at the speed of the legal process.

He has previously said he would be prepared to forgive his son's killers if they showed remorse. He stated that naming names would be a indication Norris was sorry and of a possible shift in outlook.

"If I was on that Parole Board, he would have to do that before I even think of him coming out."

He continued: "He should name the other individuals that were with him. He could name the person that fatally wounded Stephen and make a formal apology to my family for murdering my son."

He remarked: "I don't think he'll make a public apology to us," adding: "While I'm partial but I don't believe he should be able to walk the street free – my son can't."

Original Incident

Stephen was on his way to catch a bus with his friend Duwayne Brooks in Eltham in April 1993 when he was set upon and killed by a gang who used racist terms before they attacked.

Police Failures

Poor handling and claims of misconduct, centred around Norris's father involved in narcotics, plagued the case into Stephen's death for years.

There was also outrage when it emerged that police spies from the Metropolitan police had monitored justice campaigners assisting the family.

In the late 1990s, a public inquiry into Stephen's death concluded that the force was institutionally racist.