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Stephen Lawrence's father has declared that one of his son's killers should name the other gang members participating in the killing before being considered for parole.

Parole Hearing Approaches for Convicted Killer

Stephen's father, now 83, is preparing for David Norris's initial hearing before the release committee where he will plead for his release.

Norris, now 49 years old, was sentenced to a life sentence with a minimum sentence of 14 years and three months in January 2012, over 18 years after Stephen was murdered by a racist gang while running to catch a bus home.

Unique Hearing Arrangements

The parole hearing will take place in prison with a video feed transmitted to a courtroom at the central London court. Norris will be visible on camera, but just the rear view will be shown to viewers.

Authorization was given for his parole hearing to be public after news outlets petitioned with the backing of Stephen's family, with Neville Lawrence stating: "Increased public visibility, the better."

Admission and Continuing Denial

In official documents outlining the ruling, it was disclosed that Norris currently admits he was there at the scene of the murder, but claims that he merely struck Stephen and was not fatally wounded him.

Lawrence stressed the significance of hearing Stephen's killers being named and brought to justice. "It's important for me because of what these people have done," he said.

"They destroyed 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 getting married, of having grandchildren."

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

Investigation Details

Police investigators believe Stephen was murdered by a gang of as many as six people in Eltham, with only two having been brought to justice – Norris and Gary Dobson.

The pair were convicted by a jury at the central criminal court based on tiny forensic traces gathered using advanced scientific methods.

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

Ongoing Review

The police standards body is leading a review of the most recent stage of the investigation into Stephen's death following the convictions of Dobson and Norris.

Father's Frustration

Lawrence expressed being "frustrated" at the pace of the justice system.

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 sign Norris was remorseful and of a potential change in attitude.

"Were I on that Parole Board, he would have to do that before I even consider of him coming out."

He added: "He could name the rest of the people that were with him. He should name the person that actually stabbed 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 think 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 attacked and killed by a gang who used racial slurs before they struck.

Police Failures

Incompetence and allegations of corruption, focused on Norris's drug dealer father, plagued the investigation into Stephen's death for decades.

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

In 1999, a public inquiry into Stephen's death concluded that the force was institutionally racist.