Stephen Lawrence Murder 20 Years On.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312640/Stephen-Lawrence-murder-We-wont-ALL-killers-jailed-says-mother-Doreen.html

It is now twenty years since the brutal and savage murder of Stephen Lawrence, some say we live is a much less violent society than years ago, if this is true isn't it now time that a final line was drawn under this historic case and closure put on the whole affair?

This one murder has taken up enough time, what with an inquiry, not to mention the huge costs in resources and police time, after all they have already tried, found guilty and imprisoned two members of the gang that committed this act, that is much more than can be said for those more numerous gangs who are guilty of not only white murders but also black on black killings.

[emmie]

i am not sure that i would find closure had my child been murdered. And there are those out there in the community who know that some have walked free from Stephens death, those responsible have been able to get on with their lives. Two behind bars, but where are the others. And whilst i agree one would hope to draw a line, it's a very fine one, and many people black and white feel that justice was not done, not by a long way. The police failed at every level, they were found wanting.

[MadMen]

I think it's easy, as an onlooker, to say a line should be drawn under it, but I doubt his poor mother will ever rest until justice has been fully served.

[VHG]

I wonder if a black boy/gang had murdered a white boy in the same circumstances it would have got so much press.

In fact there have been many cases like that that DONT get the same press.

[sp1814]

VHG

The reason why this case got so much press is because it so badly handled and the killers (at least, initially) walked free.

There hasn't been an equivalent black on white murder (where the murderers have escaped justice), but it's a fallacy to believe that the media avoids bringing attention to murders where the victim has been white and the perpetrators have been black.

AOG - you wrote:

that is much more than can be said for those more numerous gangs who are guilty of not only white murders but also black on black killings.

Are you saying that black-on-black murders aren't investigated and that murderers are walking free?

That isn't true, is it?

Also, I don't think that a grieving mother should ever be denied justice. Remember the mother of Keith Bennett? She without being able to bury her son. Could you look her in the eye and say, "Oh, enough..."

I don't think I could accept the fact that someone responsible for the murder of my child was happily living scott free, and I think most parents would feel the same.

[Kevink]

"I wonder if a black boy/gang had murdered a white boy in the same circumstances it would have got so much press."

I wonder if a black boy/gang had murdered a white boy in the same circumstances it would have been investigated properly in the first place?
We know (from the enquiry) that the police did not bother with a proper investigation.

[Kevink]

I also wonder if a black boy/gang had murdered a white boy in the same circumstances, people like you and the OP would be saying "hey, forget it" in same dismissive way.

[aelmpvw]

isn't it now time that a final line was drawn under this historic case and closure put on the whole affair?

i think a lot of murderers would agree with you aog

[anotheoldgit]

sp21814

/// Are you saying that black-on-black murders aren't investigated and that murderers are walking free? ///

I am not saying that they are not investigated, only with not as much vigour, and as regards murderers walking free, have you ever heard of the Daniel Smith unsolved case?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18793431

He is mostly forgotten now never mind after 20years.

[jim360]

Isn't part of the problem not just the murder itself but also the fact that it exposed institutional racism?

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// That isn't true, is it? ///

Oh and by the way, don't accuse me yet again of telling porkies.

[jake-the-peg]

I have a feeling that sometimes/often when someone has been cleared of an offence the Police seem to think they had the right person and the courts just 'let them off' rather than actually reopen the case and look again at other suspects.

That may be unfair - however you don't seem to get a lot of retrial of other suspects after an aquittal

And that's regardless of what racial mix it may be

(has St. George's day come early AOG?)

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// I don't think I could accept the fact that someone responsible for the murder of my child was happily living scott free, and I think most parents would feel the same. ///

One or two here that have been forced to accept that fact.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unsolved_murders_in_the_United_Kingdom

[anotheoldgit]

jake-the-peg

/// (has St. George's day come early AOG?) ///

Yes I know what a pain it must be for you, but just like the post,one has to post early to make sure it arrives on the day.

[jake-the-peg]

Wow!

Only 21 unsolved murders in the whole 2000-2010 period!

Surely that can't be exhaustive!

Bet there isn't an equivilent page for the US!

[sp1814]

I am not saying that they are not investigated, only with not as much vigour

Utter nonsense.

Not even worth arguing that one.

[mikey4444]

Its amazing that after 20 years people can still peddle this "what if a black gang had murdered a white boy" argument. It just proves that ignorance and racism is still alive and kicking in Britain today.

Stephen Lawrence was killed because he was black...there no other reason whatsoever. The Police made an enormous balls-up of investigating the crime and an enquiry found out that they did this because the force was institutionally racist, incompetent, and stupid. The CPS made further mistakes in badly prosecuting the thugs responsible for the murder that resulted in those thugs going free.

Eventually two of the people that committed the murder were successfully prosecuted, mostly due to Stephens parents not being ready to accept the ridiculous situation that they found themselves in. His mother was honoured in last years Olympics by being chosen to be one of the flag carriers in the opening ceremony.

All the above is FACT, not opinion.

The Daily Mail rather redeemed itself by mounting a huge and brave campaign to get justice for Stephen.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080159/Stephen-Lawrence-case-How-killers-finally-brought-justice.html

Its not often you hear me praise the Daily Mail but in this case their behaviour has been exemplary.

I'm glad AOG that you think that this murder has taken up "enough time" and that you are therefore presumably pleased that the others responsible are living free.

I don't know if you are black or white or somewhere in between, not that it should matter, of course. I don't know if you have any children, but if you do, would you have just gone away and forgotten about it ?

Is anybody seriously saying that if a black gang had murdered a white boy, that there wouldn't have been so much fuss ? If they are, than they are breathtakingly stupid.

Hang your head in shame AOG.

[sp1814]

AOG

Thank you for the list of unsolved murders. What does it prove? How many of those unsolved crimes feature a flawed murder trial?

Also, yes - I am accusing you of being economic with the truth when you say that black on black crime is not vigorously investigated.

Have you not heard of Operation Trident?

What does your one link prove?

[sp1814]

mikey4444

Beautifully put...absolutely...spot...on.

I doubt very much that you will get 'Best answer', but yours most definitely...is.