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Lawrence trial: Sympathy warning as judge sums up case Lawrence trial: Sympathy warning as judge sums up case
(about 1 hour later)
The judge at the Stephen Lawrence murder trial has told jurors to set any emotion aside in their deliberations.The judge at the Stephen Lawrence murder trial has told jurors to set any emotion aside in their deliberations.
Mr Lawrence, 18, was stabbed at a bus stop after being set upon by a group of white youths in Eltham, south London.Mr Lawrence, 18, was stabbed at a bus stop after being set upon by a group of white youths in Eltham, south London.
David Norris, 35, and Gary Dobson, 36, deny murdering the black teenager in 1993. The defence says that forensic evidence against them was contaminated.David Norris, 35, and Gary Dobson, 36, deny murdering the black teenager in 1993. The defence says that forensic evidence against them was contaminated.
Summing up, Mr Justice Treacy said "emotion such as sympathy for the Lawrence family has no part to play".Summing up, Mr Justice Treacy said "emotion such as sympathy for the Lawrence family has no part to play".
"Equally, anger at the nature of the attack on Stephen Lawrence cannot guide your decision," he said."Equally, anger at the nature of the attack on Stephen Lawrence cannot guide your decision," he said.
Mr Lawrence's parents Neville and Doreen and his brother Stuart are at Old Bailey, which has been opened especially for the case.Mr Lawrence's parents Neville and Doreen and his brother Stuart are at Old Bailey, which has been opened especially for the case.
Mr Justice Treacy said he would focus on the attack, the question of contamination, forensics and the defence case in his summing up. Mr Justice Treacy said he would cover the attack, the question of contamination, forensics and the defence case in his summing up.
The judge said Mr Norris and Mr Dobson could be found guilty if they were party to Mr Lawrence's killing - even if they did not strike the fatal blow. He said manslaughter should only be considered if jurors found the pair not guilty of murder.The judge said Mr Norris and Mr Dobson could be found guilty if they were party to Mr Lawrence's killing - even if they did not strike the fatal blow. He said manslaughter should only be considered if jurors found the pair not guilty of murder.
Mr Justice Treacy said scientific evidence found in a 2007 review of the case was "of no value" if it was proved to have been contaminated.Mr Justice Treacy said scientific evidence found in a 2007 review of the case was "of no value" if it was proved to have been contaminated.
He told jurors the case was "real life, not a detective novel" and it was unnecessary to tie up loose ends. They should not be affected by the "enormous publicity" the case had attracted, he added.He told jurors the case was "real life, not a detective novel" and it was unnecessary to tie up loose ends. They should not be affected by the "enormous publicity" the case had attracted, he added.
Follow Philippa Thomas on Twitter @PhilippaNewsFollow Philippa Thomas on Twitter @PhilippaNews
Last week, Mr Norris's barrister, Stephen Batten QC, told the jury that the defendants had been faced with a prosecution outside court from the media since 1993.Last week, Mr Norris's barrister, Stephen Batten QC, told the jury that the defendants had been faced with a prosecution outside court from the media since 1993.
He urged jurors not to convict the defendants on the basis that if they did not "racism will have won". Mr Batten said forensic evidence linking his client to the murder was "not safe".He urged jurors not to convict the defendants on the basis that if they did not "racism will have won". Mr Batten said forensic evidence linking his client to the murder was "not safe".
Mr Dobson's barrister told jurors that forensic findings presented by the prosecution in the trial did not "fit with the wider picture given by the rest of the evidence".Mr Dobson's barrister told jurors that forensic findings presented by the prosecution in the trial did not "fit with the wider picture given by the rest of the evidence".
Tim Roberts QC said no eyewitnesses had placed his client at the scene of the attack and that traces of blood and fibres belonging to Stephen Lawrence that were found on Mr Dobson's clothing were the result of police contamination.Tim Roberts QC said no eyewitnesses had placed his client at the scene of the attack and that traces of blood and fibres belonging to Stephen Lawrence that were found on Mr Dobson's clothing were the result of police contamination.
The trial began on 14 November.The trial began on 14 November.