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Neville Lawrence has stated that one of his son's killers should identify the remaining gang members participating in the killing before being considered for early release.

Release Review Approaches for Convicted Killer

Stephen's father, 83 years old, is awaiting David Norris's initial hearing before the Parole Board where he will request his release.

Norris, now 49 years old, was given to a life sentence with a minimum sentence of over 14 years in early 2012, more than 18 years after Stephen was murdered by a racist gang while running to catch a bus home.

Special Court Proceedings

The parole hearing will take place in prison with a video feed transmitted to a hearing room at the central London court. Norris will appear on camera, but only the back of his head will be visible to observers.

Permission was given for his parole hearing to be public after news outlets applied with the backing of Stephen's parents, with Neville Lawrence saying: "Increased public visibility, the better."

Admission and Partial Acceptance

In case papers outlining the decision, it was disclosed that Norris currently admits he was there at the scene of the murder, but asserts that he only punched Stephen and was not stabbed him.

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

"They destroyed my life. They made me not to be able to live in this country. They've deprived me of the opportunity of seeing my son getting married, of having his grandchildren."

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

Case Background

Police investigators believe Stephen was killed by a gang of as many as six people in Eltham, with only 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.

Other suspects in the case included the Acourt brothers, who have since been convicted of unrelated drug offences, and Luke Knight. A sixth suspect, Matthew White, passed away in 2021.

Current Investigation

The police standards body is leading a review of the latest phase of the inquiry into Stephen's death following the convictions of Dobson and Norris.

Father's Frustration

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

He has previously said he would be prepared to forgive his son's killers if they demonstrated regret. He stated that identifying accomplices would be a indication Norris was remorseful and of a potential change in attitude.

"If I was on that release committee, he would have to cooperate before I even think of him coming out."

He continued: "He could name the other individuals that were with him. He could name the person that actually stabbed Stephen and make a public apology to my family for murdering my son."

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

Tragic Events

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

Investigation Challenges

Poor handling and allegations of corruption, focused on Norris's drug dealer father, dogged the investigation into Stephen's death for years.

There was also outrage when it emerged that undercover officers from the Metropolitan police had spied on activists assisting the family.

In 1999, a official investigation into Stephen's death found that the police department was systematically discriminatory.