Stephen Lawrence witness appeal after 20 years
Police and the mother of murder victim Stephen Lawrence are appealing on the 20th anniversary of his death for witnesses to come forward.
Police remain committed to pursuing all viable lines of inquiry on the murder of Stephen Lawrence, officers said today.
The investigation will be featured on Crimewatch tonight, a week after the 20th anniversary of the racist attack. Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll will take viewers back to the scene in Eltham, south-east London, and run them through the events of that night in an appeal to a number of witnesses who it is believed have never come forward.
Stephen’s mother, Doreen Lawrence, says it is important for any outstanding witnesses to come forward.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Despite securing two convictions in this case, the investigation remains open and officers believe there were individuals in the vicinity of the murder who have never come forward.”
The potential witnesses include: two men who got off a bus at the stop opposite where Stephen was attacked and walked along the east side of Well Hall Road, a man who ran from the area of Well Hall Road roundabout to the bus stop, a man walking on the east side of Well Hall south wearing a distinctive green jacket and anyone else in the general vicinity, such as those outside the cinema and on passing buses.
On the evening of April 22 1993, aspiring architect Stephen was stabbed to death by a group of up to six white youths in a racist attack as he waited at a bus stop with a friend.
After the initial confrontation he was stabbed in nearby Dickson Road, he managed to escape and run a distance of 130 yards before collapsing. The suspects fled Dickson Road.
Last year Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of being involved in the attack and sentenced to life imprisonment, a forensic review of the case found new evidence on clothing seized from their homes.
DCI Driscoll said: “Although two individuals are serving a life sentence in connection with this murder, we have always known there were other people involved in the attack.
“This investigation remains open and my team is committed to pursuing all viable lines of inquiry available to us. It is hoped this appeal will assist with our inquiries.