Two found guilty of Stephen Lawrence murder

03 January 2012

Acting Deputy Commissioner Cressida Dick said: "We are very pleased for the family and those who loved Stephen. There have been several investigations over the last 18 years during which the Lawrence family have campaigned tirelessly for justice.

"This prosecution has depended upon previously unavailable scientific technology and techniques which led to the discovery of the new evidence.

"Throughout this inquiry there has been close co-operation between the Metropolitan Police, the CPS and counsel. We have also worked very closely with the Forensic Science Service and LGC Forensics.

"The Lawrence family were kept informed at all stages of the forensic review and subsequent re-investigation. We pay tribute to Mr and Mrs Lawrence's courage and dignity. They have contributed to major changes within policing, the law and society as a whole."

Previous investigations into the murder had not resulted in anyone being convicted. Three men, including Dobson, were acquitted of the murder in 1996 following a private prosecution brought by the Lawrence family.

In 2005 preliminary work began to consider whether a forensic review was viable and in June 2006 a full forensic review commenced and all material which was still available was provided to LGC Forensics.

Whilst the forensic review got underway, officers began to review and re-examine material held from earlier phases of the investigation to better understand the history of the case, and what evidential opportunities, if any, might exist.

As a result of learning gained in the Damilola Taylor case, and knowledge that forensic advancements had assisted in the finding of previously undiscovered evidence, consideration was given to re-examining any exhibits remaining in the Lawrence case.

New thinking and technology together with an enhanced briefing of scientists by police instigated a strategy that found significant new forensic evidence.

 A very small blood stain, which appeared to have soaked into the weave of the fabric, was found on the collar of a jacket seized from Gary Dobson's wardrobe; and numerous very small flakes of possible blood were located on the jacket's surface.

 DNA profiles from all the blood stain and blood fragments matched Stephen's profile. It was not disputed in court that the blood was Stephen's.

A number of textile fibres were found on the jacket and in the original police packaging, which match the constituent fibres of Stephen's polo shirt, cardigan and jacket.

On a cardigan seized from Gary Dobson's home, fibres were found which match the constituent fibres of Stephen's jacket. Textile fibres matching those making up this cardigan were also found on Stephen's jacket and trousers.

Scientists also found a human hair with the same DNA type as Stephen Lawrence or one of his maternal relatives on a pair of jeans seized from Norris' home.

On the tapings of a sweatshirt seized from the Norris home six cotton fibres, which appeared green with occasional blue patches, were found, which matched the constituent fibres of Stephen Lawrence's green trousers. Also found was one pink-orange cotton fibre, which matched the constituent fibres of Stephen Lawrence's polo shirt.

A painstaking process was then carried out by the investigation team to account for the whereabouts and handling of the exhibits since they were seized in 1993.

During the trial both Dobson and Norris advanced a defence based upon theories that the new scientific evidence was found on their clothing as a result of cross contamination arising from how exhibits were handled both in the initial stages of the investigation and subsequently.

Evidence given in the prosecution case included statements made by a reviewing scientist whose conclusion was that cross contamination is extremely unlikely to have been responsible for the evidence found.

During the summer of 2010 the Metropolitan Police team who had conducted the forensic review consulted with the CPS and counsel.

In August 2010, following legal advice, AC Cressida Dick wrote to the DPP to make an application under Sec 85, Criminal Justice Act 2003 for his authority to investigate a previously acquitted person, Gary Dobson, in connection with the murder.

The following month, the DPP did authorise a fresh investigation and David Norris was arrested and interviewed about the murder on Tuesday 7 September 2010. He did not reply to any of the questions asked of him.

Gary Dobson was arrested and interviewed on the same day. He did not reply to any of the questions asked of him.

On Wednesday 8 September 2010 both men were charged with the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Norris, who had not previously been acquitted of the murder, appeared at Camberwell Magistrate's Court (by 'virtual Court') and was remanded in custody to appear at the Central Criminal Court on Thursday 9 September 2010. Dobson was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court within 24 hours of the charge (as required by the CJ Act 2003) and he and Dobson were both remanded in custody.

The DPP subsequently made a formal application to the Court for a hearing to apply to quash Dobson's acquittal.

 On 11 and 12 April, the Court of Appeal heard the application by the Police and Crown Prosecution Service to quash the acquittal of Gary Dobson.

On 18 May 2011, the Court of Appeal ruled in support of the application made by the Director of Public Prosecutions to quash the acquittal of Gary Dobson and order a re-trial for the murder of Stephen Lawrence. David Norris was also charged with murder.

Both defendants were arraigned at the Central Criminal Court on 1 July 2011 and were remanded in custody. The trial began on Monday 14 November 2011.