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Brothers tell of murder anguish Brothers tell of murder anguish
(21 minutes later)
The brothers of a man police say was responsible for the murder and rape of a woman in 1979 have said they want to apologise to her grief-stricken family.The brothers of a man police say was responsible for the murder and rape of a woman in 1979 have said they want to apologise to her grief-stricken family.
Detectives have said the DNA of David Lace, 26, whose remains were exhumed in August, matches that of the suspected killer of 22-year-old Teresa De Simone.Detectives have said the DNA of David Lace, 26, whose remains were exhumed in August, matches that of the suspected killer of 22-year-old Teresa De Simone.
Miss De Simone was found in her car at the pub in Southampton where she worked part-time, in December 1979.Miss De Simone was found in her car at the pub in Southampton where she worked part-time, in December 1979.
Geoffrey and John Lace said: "We need to ask her family for forgiveness."Geoffrey and John Lace said: "We need to ask her family for forgiveness."
"I believe [David] took the coward's way out [by taking his own life]" said father-of-five Geoffrey, who lives in Portsmouth, Havant."I believe [David] took the coward's way out [by taking his own life]" said father-of-five Geoffrey, who lives in Portsmouth, Havant.
'Black sheep''Black sheep'
"He should have faced it.""He should have faced it."
Referring to Miss De Simone's family, John, 51, said: "We need to ask them for their forgiveness - it is a terrible thing."Referring to Miss De Simone's family, John, 51, said: "We need to ask them for their forgiveness - it is a terrible thing."
Mr Lace, whose natural parents are both dead, was born to a large family of three brothers and two sisters, John added.Mr Lace, whose natural parents are both dead, was born to a large family of three brothers and two sisters, John added.
He was born with the surname Williams, later taking the adopted name Lace.He was born with the surname Williams, later taking the adopted name Lace.
Originally from Portsmouth, at the time of the murder he was 17 and living in the city.Originally from Portsmouth, at the time of the murder he was 17 and living in the city.
I did not think David was capable of it but once they exhumed his body it hit [me]" John LaceI did not think David was capable of it but once they exhumed his body it hit [me]" John Lace
He took his own life in December 1988 when he was living in Brixham, Devon.He took his own life in December 1988 when he was living in Brixham, Devon.
He did not feature in the original police investigation and was not thought to have had prior links to Miss De Simone.He did not feature in the original police investigation and was not thought to have had prior links to Miss De Simone.
But he made admissions to the murder in 1983 following Sean Hodgson's conviction at Winchester Crown Court some 18 months earlier.But he made admissions to the murder in 1983 following Sean Hodgson's conviction at Winchester Crown Court some 18 months earlier.
Police looked into his confession at the time and decided it revealed "numerous and significant inconsistencies".Police looked into his confession at the time and decided it revealed "numerous and significant inconsistencies".
His brothers have described Lace as "a loner, stubborn and the black sheep of the family" who rarely spoke about his friends or relationships with women.His brothers have described Lace as "a loner, stubborn and the black sheep of the family" who rarely spoke about his friends or relationships with women.
However, they were shocked when they learned he was the prime suspect for Miss De Simone's rape and murder.However, they were shocked when they learned he was the prime suspect for Miss De Simone's rape and murder.
Her partially-clothed body was found in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub.Her partially-clothed body was found in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub.
This picture of Mr Lace was taken when he was about 15 years oldThis picture of Mr Lace was taken when he was about 15 years old
"I did not think David was capable of it but once they exhumed his body it hit [me]," said John, also a father-of-five."I did not think David was capable of it but once they exhumed his body it hit [me]," said John, also a father-of-five.
Both brothers still believe it was "a robbery which went wrong".Both brothers still believe it was "a robbery which went wrong".
"I am under the impression he was probably going to steal her handbag - even with all the facts," added John."I am under the impression he was probably going to steal her handbag - even with all the facts," added John.
But neither brother can forgive him.But neither brother can forgive him.
John Lace said: "People have said can you forgive him? But you are damned if you do and damned if you don't.John Lace said: "People have said can you forgive him? But you are damned if you do and damned if you don't.
"If you forgive him, people say 'why?', if you don't other people will say he is family you have got to forgive him.""If you forgive him, people say 'why?', if you don't other people will say he is family you have got to forgive him."
Mr Hodgson, 58, of County Durham, spent 27 years in jail for the murder before his conviction was quashed.Mr Hodgson, 58, of County Durham, spent 27 years in jail for the murder before his conviction was quashed.
He confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone but pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar.He confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone but pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar.
"[I feel] angry that [Mr] Hodgson admitted it," John Lace said."[I feel] angry that [Mr] Hodgson admitted it," John Lace said.
"To confess to a crime like that just wasted police time.""To confess to a crime like that just wasted police time."
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BBC South Today's Peter Cooke talks to John and Geoffrey LaceBBC South Today's Peter Cooke talks to John and Geoffrey Lace