Stephen Lawrence's dad Neville has told how he will accept the release of one of his son's killers if he finally admits to the crime and apologises. But he said David Norris should not be freed from jail until he shows true remorse for the 1993 racist murder of the 18-year-old student. Norris pleaded not guilty to killing Stephen and has never owned up to his part in the knife attack. He was finally jailed for a minimum of 14 years and three months in September 2012 following an Old Bailey trial.
Because of time spent on remand it means that his minimum term ends in the coming months. He is now due to have a parole hearing that could pave the way for the killer to rebuild his life aged just 48. Speaking to the Daily Mail from his home in Jamaica, Neville, 82, said: "He would have to say he was sorry for killing Stephen and that he had changed his ways and apologise to our family [for me to accept his release]. I am not satisfied with him getting parole but what I am saying is if he can show remorse and show he's changed then I will accept that. It's not that I'm okay with it but if someone shows they know they did something wrong and have changed, then I can accept that.".
Neville has given a victim impact statement to the Parole Board but said he is yet to decide if he will attend the hearing. A decision is yet to be made on whether the hearing will be public but relatives can attend. Stephen was stabbed to death by up to six thugs shouting "what, n*****?" as he waited for a bus with pal Duwayne Brooks at a bus stop in Eltham, South East London.
