Stephen Lawrence was killed while waiting for a bus in south-east London Two men are to stand trial over the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
Gary Dobson, 35, and David Norris, 34, are accused of killing the black teenager at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, on 22 April, 1993.
Nobody has been convicted of the crime, but a small team of Scotland Yard detectives has continued to investigate the 18-year-old’s death.
Mr Dobson stood trial in 1996 over the murder – which he denied – and he was acquitted.
Mr Dobson and Mr Norris were arrested last September over the murder and are in custody. The allegations could not previously be reported for legal reasons.
Their trial is due to take place in November at the Old Bailey and their next court appearance is due for 1 July.
A statement from the Crown Prosecution Service said that both men had been charged with Mr Lawrence’s murder on 8 September 2010.
“The Metropolitan Police Service and the Crown Prosecution Service have worked tirelessly with forensic scientists to review the evidence in this case,” it said.
“A full forensic review was commenced in June 2006. New scientific evidence was found and on that basis the prosecution applied for a retrial.
“Our thoughts at this stage go to Stephen’s family, who have never given up their quest to see justice for Stephen.”
The BBC’s Daniel Boettcher, at the Court of Appeal, said that Mr Dobson’s trial could not have previously taken place under the double jeopardy rule, which prevented a suspect being tried a second time for a crime.
“Up to a new piece of legislation in 2003 it was not possible to face a fresh trial on the same allegations,” our correspondent said.
“That so-called double jeopardy rule was changed. The new law was actually introduced in 2005. But there is this level that has to be reached, that judges have to be convinced that there is new and compelling evidence to allow that fresh trial.”
Mr Boettcher added that the judges had issued a statement, which said: “After conducting a detailed examination of a large body of evidence, we’ve come to the conclusion there is sufficient, reliable and substantial evidence to justify the quashing of the acquittal and to order a new trial.
“This decision means, and we emphasise, that it means no more than that, the question whether Dobson had any criminal involvement in Stephen Lawrence’s death must be considered afresh by a new jury, which will examine the evidence and decide whether the allegation against him is proved. The presumption of innocence continues to apply.”
Mr Lawrence’s father, Neville, said he was “relieved and delighted at the court’s decision”.
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