Stephen Lawrence murder trial jurors out

JURORS in the trial of two men accused of murdering Stephen Lawrence retired yesterday to consider their verdicts.

Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, both from south-east London, deny murdering the teenager, who was killed in a racist attack in April 1993.

The trial began at the Old Bailey on 14 November. The historic court was opened especially so the case could continue between Christmas and New Year.

Earlier, Mr Justice Treacy told the four women and eight men they must “reach verdicts on the basis of cool, calm consideration”. He stressed that they should take as long as they needed to come to a decision.

“You should take as long as you need to be faithful to your oath,” the judge said. “You took an oath to consider the evidence and to return true verdicts according to the evidence. So you take as long or as little as you need.”