The Stephen Lawrence Case

By TaylaWilliams

  • Stephen Lawrence murdered

    18 year old stabbed to death by a gang of white youths at a bus stop in Eltham (SE London)

  • Family express frustration

    Stephen's family hold press conference to complain that not enough is being done to catch the killers.

  • Suspects arrested and two charged

    Police arrest brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, David Norris, Gary Dobson and Luke Knight and search their homes. Neil and Luke are identified by Duwayne Brooks (present at attack, Stephens friend) as part of the gang and they are charged with murder. They deny charges.

  • Charges dropped

    The CPS drops the prosecution - says ID evidence from Brooks is unreliable.

  • Inquest halted

    The coroner halts the inquest into Stephens death after the family's barrister says there is 'dramatic' new evidence.

  • CPS refuses to prosecute

    There is insufficient evidence to bring charges based on the new evidence - believed to be the identification of further suspects.

  • Family launch private prosecution

    Stephen's parents launch a private prosecution against Dobson, Knight and Acourt - all deny charges.
    Private prosecution is not brought by CPS.

  • Police surveillance

    Covert video shot over several days in Dobson's flat shows him and Norris using strong racist and violent language.
    Acourt and Knight are also caught on camera sing violent and racist language.

  • Private prosecution fails

    Murder trial begins against Acourt, Knight and Dobson at the Old Bailey.
    Case collapses when Mr Curtis rules the identification evidence from Brooks is inadmissible (not valid) - all 3 are acquitted (not guilty).

  • Inquest verdict

    Inquest resumes and the 5 suspects refuse to answer questions.
    Verdict of unlawful killing 'in a completely unprovoked racist attack by 5 youths' is delivered by Sir Montague.

  • Front Page - Daily Mail

    DM front page names the 5 men that it says 'killed Stephen Lawrence'.
    Invites them to sue if this is wrong.

  • Police Complaints Authority investigation

    Kent Constabulary launches its probe into police conduct which 9 months later highlights 'significant weaknesses, omissions and lost opportunities'.
    No r=evidence of racist conduct.

  • Public inquiry announced

    Home Secretary Jack Straw - inquiry into the killing and the investigation to identify lessons for police in dealing with racially-motivated crimes.

  • Family call on resignation

    Lawrence family call on Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Condon to resign = he apologises when he appears in October admitting there had been failures.

  • Macpherson report

    Accuses Met Police of institutional racism and makes 70 recommendations - many aimed at improving police attitudes to racism.
    Includes proposals in changes to the law - strengthening the Race Relations Act to clamp down on discrimination.

  • Norris and Court jailed

    They are jailed for 18 months for a racist attack on an off-duty police officer in Eltham in 2001.

  • Trial ruled out

    CPS announces insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone for Stephen's death following review.

  • Double jeopardy scrapped

    Government drops the legal principle allowing suspects being tried twice for the same crime.

  • BBC documentary

    Documentary investigating the case raises new Q's about suspects - prompting Met Police to review their evidence.
    Oct 2007 - Police Complaints Commission found no evidence of wrong-doing by an officer as alleged in documentary.

  • Forensics review

    Police investigate new forensic evidence in the case after a police review was launched - examining evidence gathered at the time - looking to use new technology to find leads.

  • Memorial opens

    Doreen Lawrence (mum) opens £10m architecture centre in honour of Stephen - 2 weeks later vandalized in suspected racist attack.

  • Two to face trial

    Dobson and Norris are to face trial over the murder of Stephen following a review of forensic evidence.
    Court of Appeal decides there is enough new evidence to allow Dobson to be found guilty.

  • Trial begins

    The trial starts - hears that Stephen's DNA was found on their clothes.

  • Guilty of murder

    Dobson and Norris both found guilty of murder at the end of a 6 week trial.
    The court hears the microscopic evidence found on clothing belonging to the accused links them to the murder.
    Both received life sentences.

  • A new public inquiry

    A review of the investigation finds that an undercover Met Police officer worked within the Lawrence family while an inquiry into the handling of the murder was under way.
    Reasonable grounds to suspect at least one detective on the team was corrupt - new inquiry into undercover policing.
    No evidence was found to back up that Francis was tasked to smear the Lawrence family.