Stephen Lawrence: Timeline

3 January 2012

Black teenager Stephen Lawrence was killed as he waited for a bus in April 1993. It took more than eighteen years to bring his killers to justice. Read the timeline to find out more about the twists and turns in the case.

22 April 1993

Stephen Lawrence murdered

The eighteen-year-old is stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack by a gang of white youths as he waits at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, with his friend Duwayne Brooks.
23 April 1993

Suspects identified

The day after the murder, a letter giving the name of the suspects is left in a telephone box. Police surveillance begins on their homes four days later.
4 May 1993

Family express frustrations

Stephen's family hold a press conference to complain not enough is being done to catch the killers. They meet Nelson Mandela two days later.
7 May-23 June 1993

Suspects arrested and two charged

Police arrest brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, David Norris, Gary Dobson and Luke Knight and search their homes. Neil Acourt and Luke Knight are identified by Duwayne Brooks at ID parades as part of the gang responsible and the pair are charged with murder. They deny the charges.
29 July 1993

Charges dropped

The CPS drops the prosecution as it says the ID evidence from Brooks is unreliable.
22 December 1993

Inquest halted

The Southwark coroner, Sir Montague Levine, halts an inquest into Stephen's death after the family's barrister, Michael Mansfield QC, says there is "dramatic" new evidence.
April 1994

CPS refuses to prosecute

There is insufficient evidence to bring charges based on the new evidence, it says, which was believed to be the identification of further suspects.
September 1994

Private prosecution launched

Stephen's parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence, launch a private prosecution against Gary Dobson, Luke Knight and Neil Acourt. All three deny the charges. A private prosecution is the same as a standard criminal trial but not brought by the CPS.
December 1994

Police surveillance

Covert video shot over several days in Dobson's flat captures him and Norris using strong racist and violent language. Neil Acourt and Luke Knight are also caught on camera using violent and racist language.
18-25 April 1996

Private prosecution fails

The murder trial begins against Neil Acourt, Luke Knight and Gary Dobson at the Old Bailey. But the case collapses when Mr Justice Curtis rules that identification evidence from Brooks is inadmissible. All three are acquitted.
13 February 1997

Inquest verdict

The inquest resumes and the five suspects refuse to answer questions. A verdict of unlawful killing "in a completely unprovoked racist attack by five youths" is delivered by Sir Montague.
14 February 1997

Daily Mail front page

The Daily Mail newspaper uses its front page to name the five men it says killed Stephen Lawrence. It invites them to sue if it is wrong.
20 March 1997

Police Complaints Authority investigation

The Kent Constabulary launches its probe, which nine months later highlights "significant weaknesses, omissions and lost opportunities". But it says there is no evidence of racist conduct.
July 1997

Public inquiry announced

Home Secretary Jack Straw says there will be a judicial inquiry into the killing, and to identify lessons for police in dealing with racially-motivated crimes. It will be chaired by Sir William Macpherson, a retired High Court judge.
24 March 1998

Inquiry opens

The five suspects are told to give evidence or face prosecution. In June, they appear and are pelted with bottles by protesters as they leave, after being accused of being evasive.
July 1998

Police apology

The Lawrence family call on the Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Condon to resign. He apologises to them when he appears in October, admitting there had been failures.
February 1999

Macpherson report published

It accuses the Metropolitan Police of institutional racism and makes 70 recommendations, many aimed at improving police attitudes to racism. It also includes some proposals for changes in the law, including strengthening the Race Relations Act to try to clamp down on discrimination.
6 September 2002

Norris jailed

Norris and former suspect Neil Acourt are jailed for 18 months for a racist attack on an off-duty police officer in Eltham in 2001. Norris, a passenger in a car driven by Acourt, threw a drink and shouted racist abuse at the black officer.
5 May 2004

Trial ruled out

The CPS finally announces there is insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone for Stephen's murder following a review.
April 2005

Double jeopardy scrapped

Government drops the legal principle which prevents suspects being tried twice for the same crime.
26 July 2006

BBC documentary

A BBC documentary investigating the case raises fresh questions about the prime suspects, prompting the Metropolitan Police to review their evidence. In October 2007, the Independent Police Complaints Commission says it has found no evidence of wrong-doing by an officer as alleged in part of the documentary.
8 November 2007

Forensics review

Police confirm they are investigating new forensic evidence in the case after a police review, staffed by 32 officers, was launched the previous summer. It examined evidence gathered at the time, looking at opportunities to use new technology to find leads.
7 February 2008

Memorial opens

Doreen Lawrence opens a £10m architecture centre in honour of her son. Two weeks later vandals smash its windows in a suspected racist attack.
February 2009

Report anniversary

Ten years on from the Macpherson inquiry, a report from a member of its panel, Dr Richard Stone, says the police have made significant progress in reforming but charges of racism remain. Justice Secretary Jack Straw says the Met is no longer institutionally racist, but Stephen's mother says police still fail black Britons.
9 July 2010

Dobson jailed

Gary Dobson starts a five-year jail term for supplying a class B drug after being caught during a sting by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).
18 May 2011

Two to face trial

Gary Dobson and David Norris are to face trial over the murder of Stephen Lawrence following a review of forensic evidence. The Court of Appeal decides there is enough new and substantial evidence to allow Dobson's acquittal to be quashed. The pair had been charged the previous September.
14 November 2011

Trial begins

The trial of Dobson and Norris begins at the Old Bailey. The jury hears that Stephen's DNA was found on the defendants' clothes.
3 January 2012

Guilty of murder

Dobson and Norris are both found guilty of murder at the end of a six-week trial into the death of Stephen Lawrence. During the trial, the court heard that microscopic evidence found on clothing belonging to the accused linked them to the murder. The jury took two-and-a-half days to reach its decision. Both men received life sentences; Dobson was jailed for a minimum of 15 years and two months, Norris for 14 years and three months.
24 June 2013

Former police officer 'spied' on Lawrence family

The prime minister calls for an immediate investigation into reports the police wanted to smear Stephen Lawrence's family. The Guardian claims former officer Peter Francis went under cover to infiltrate the family's campaign for justice in 1993. Mr Francis told the paper and Channel 4's Dispatches programme he was looking for "disinformation" to use against those criticising the police.