Stephen Lawrence murder jury sent home

THE verdict in the Stephen Lawrence murder trial will be reached in the new year, after the jury was sent home following its first full day of deliberation.

The jurors were earlier given permission to review video evidence shown during the seven-week trial.

Mr Lawrence, 18, was stabbed in a racist gang attack in Eltham, south-east London in 1993. Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, deny murder, and say forensic evidence was contaminated.

The jury will continue deliberating on Tuesday. Mr Justice Treacy has warned members to set aside any emotion.

The trial began at the Old Bailey on 14 November. The court is normally closed throughout the week after Christmas, but has been specially opened during the holiday period for this case.