David Norris, one of the individuals convicted and imprisoned for life for the racially motivated killing of Stephen Lawrence in Eltham, south London over 30 years ago, has expressed “genuine remorse” for his actions. Norris made this statement during a public parole hearing, where experts are assessing his eligibility for release.
During the hearing, Norris, filmed from behind, acknowledged his role in Stephen’s murder and conveyed deep regret for his actions. He admitted feeling burdened by guilt and apologized to the Black community for his part in the tragic event.
Reflecting on his past behavior, Norris attributed his actions to being a misguided and racist teenager at the time of the incident. He described his upbringing in south London and the influence of his environment on his actions, expressing regret for the harm caused to Stephen and his friend.
The parole hearing also revealed instances of Norris using racist language in recent years, raising concerns about his attitudes and behavior. Despite completing courses to address his racism, Norris was reported to have engaged in inappropriate conduct in prison.
Notably, Norris recently admitted to being present at the scene of the murder, a significant shift from his previous denials. The panel overseeing the hearing questioned this change, with Norris attributing it to a documentary he watched and the concept of forgiveness discussed by Stephen Lawrence’s father.
Challenges to Norris’s release were raised, including allegations of attempting to radicalize a fellow prisoner and associating with a racist group within the prison. However, Norris denied these claims, asserting that he has no affiliation with any such groups.
The parole hearing, set to span three days, will determine Norris’s fate, with considerations for his release or transfer to different prison conditions. Norris is participating in the hearing remotely from Exeter prison, where he is currently detained.