Two men sentenced in race-based 1993 murder that shook Britain
LONDON A judge sentenced two white men to life in prison on Wednesday for killing a black teenager more than 18 years ago, a case that exposed racism in Scotland Yard and prompted widespread soul-searching about race relations in Britain.
Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, were found guilty of murder after a six-week trial triggered by new forensic evidence. Dobson will serve a minimum of 15 years and two months, and Norris will serve at least 14 years and three months.
The evil crime was committed for no other reason than racial hatred, Judge Colman Treacy told a packed courtroom Wednesday at the Old Bailey, Londons Central Criminal Court.
In April 1993, Stephen Lawrence, 18, was waiting at a bus stop in southeast London when five or six men swarmed around him and began shouting racist abuse. He was stabbed to death for no other apparent reason than his race.
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