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Neville Lawrence has declared that one of his son's killers should name the remaining gang members involved in the murder before being considered for parole.

Release Review Approaches for Jailed Murderer

Stephen's father, now 83, is awaiting David Norris's first appearance before the release committee where he will request his freedom.

Norris, currently 49, was sentenced to a life sentence with a minimum sentence of over 14 years in early 2012, more than 18 years after Stephen was killed by a racially motivated group while running to catch a bus home.

Special Court Proceedings

The release review will take place in prison with a live stream transmitted to a hearing room at the central London court. Norris will be visible on camera, but only the back of his head will be visible to viewers.

Authorization was granted for his release proceeding to be public after news outlets applied with the support of Stephen's family, with Neville Lawrence saying: "The more people that can see, the better."

Admission and Continuing Denial

In case papers outlining the ruling, it was disclosed that Norris now accepts he was there at the location of the murder, but claims that he only punched Stephen and was not the one who fatally wounded him.

Lawrence emphasized the importance of learning Stephen's killers being named and brought to justice. "It matters for me because of their actions," he stated.

"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 getting married, of having his grandchildren."

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

Investigation Details

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

The two men were found guilty by a court at the central criminal court based on minute DNA evidence gathered using advanced scientific methods.

Other suspects in the case included Jamie and Neil Acourt, who have since been convicted of separate narcotics crimes, and Luke Knight. A final individual, Matthew White, passed away in 2021.

Ongoing Review

The College of Policing is conducting a review of the latest phase of the inquiry into Stephen's death following the guilty verdicts of Dobson and Norris.

Family's Anguish

Lawrence voiced being "disappointed" at the pace of the justice system.

He has previously said he would be willing to pardon his son's killers if they demonstrated regret. He stated that naming names would be a sign Norris was remorseful 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 added: "He could 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 commented: "I don't think he'll make a public statement to us," continuing: "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 murdered by a gang who used racial slurs before they struck.

Investigation Challenges

Poor handling and allegations of corruption, centred around Norris's drug dealer father, plagued the investigation into Stephen's death for years.

There was also outrage when it emerged that undercover officers from the Metropolitan police had monitored justice campaigners supporting the family.

In the late 1990s, a public inquiry into Stephen's death concluded that the police department was systematically discriminatory.