Stephen Lawrence (Pic:PA)
Stephen Lawrence
Two men are to face trial over the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence 18 years ago, it can be reported today.
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The 18-year-old A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop in Eltham, south east London.
Gary Dobson, 35, and David Norris, 34, were arrested last September over the April 1993 murder and are in custody.
The allegations could not be reported until today for legal reasons.
The trial is due to take place in November at the Old Bailey, where a further hearing is due to take place in the next two months.
Gary Dobson (left) and David Norris (Pic:PA)
Gary Dobson (left) and David Norris
Norris, wearing a dark suit and tieless shirt, was at the Court of Appeal while Dobson was not present.
Some reporting restrictions surrounding the case remain in place.
The fact that there is to be a new trial over Mr Lawrence's death was announced by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, sitting at the Court of Appeal in London with Mrs Justice Rafferty and Mr Justice Holroyde.
In 1996 Dobson, Luke Knight and Neil Acourt were tried for murder in a private prosecution brought by Mr Lawrence's parents at the Old Bailey.
Following the trial judge's ruling that purported identification evidence was not admissible, there was insufficient further evidence to justify the continuation of the prosecution.
The jury was directed to acquit the defendants and not guilty verdicts were entered.
Today's ruling by the appeal judges followed an application by the prosecution for the acquittal of Dobson to be quashed and for a retrial to be ordered.
Lifting previous blanket reporting restrictions on the case, Lord Judge announced: "There is to be a new trial."


(Maybe the cold case team are now free to pursue another infamous case where the perpetrators most definitely need to be brought to justice.  Note the press could not report on this case whilst it was still under investigation/ the application by the prosecution to quash the acquittal was waiting to be heard ) 
Lord Judge said no application to quash the acquittals of Neil Acourt and Luke Knight was before the court "but another suspect, who was not a defendant at the earlier trial, David Norris, was arrested in September 2010 and charged with murder".
He added in a 17-paragraph written ruling: "His trial will take place at the Central Criminal Court in November 2011."
It was proposed by the prosecution that he and Dobson will be tried together, said the judge.
Lord Judge said the acquittal application "depends on the reliability of new scientific evidence" which "by reference" to a grey bomber jacket and a multi-coloured cardigan "closely links Dobson with the fatal attack on Stephen Lawrence".
He said: "It does not and could not demonstrate that Dobson wielded the knife which caused the fatal wound, but given the circumstances of the attack on Stephen Lawrence - that is, a group of youths in a violent enterprise converging on a young man and attacking him as a group - it would be open to a jury to conclude that any one of those who participated in the attack was party to the killing and guilty of murder, or alternatively manslaughter..."
Lord Judge said: "If reliable, the new scientific evidence would place Dobson in a very close proximity indeed to Stephen Lawrence at the moment of and in the immediate aftermath of the attack, proximity moreover for which no innocent explanation can be discerned."
It was submitted on behalf of Dobson that the evidence was unreliable and "of no sufficient probative value" and that the results of the new examination of Dobson's clothing were likely to be the product of contamination over the years by contact with Mr Lawrence's blood and his clothing.
His QC had argued that even if the scientific evidence was reliable, the apparent links with Dobson were unconnected with his presence and involvement at the scene, but the result of outdated or incompetent storage and packaging or transporting arrangements.
The CPS and the Metropolitan Police Service said in a joint statement: "Stephen Lawrence was murdered on April 22 1993 in an unprovoked attack.
"Two men have recently been charged with his murder: David Norris and Gary Dobson. They are both in custody and will stand trial later this year at the Central Criminal Court.
"David Norris was charged with the murder of Stephen Lawrence on September 8 2010.
"Following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, on October 23 2010, the Court of Appeal has today quashed the acquittal of Gary Dobson and ordered a retrial.
"Gary Dobson was originally acquitted in 1996 of the murder of Stephen Lawrence. He was recharged with the allegation of murder on September 8 2010.
"The Metropolitan Police Service and the Crown Prosecution Service have worked tirelessly with forensic scientists to review the evidence in this case.
"A full forensic review was commenced in June 2006. New scientific evidence was found and on that basis the prosecution applied for a retrial. We welcome the Court of Appeal's decision.
"In order to protect the investigation and ensure a fair trial, reporting restrictions were put in place in September 2010, which have now been partially lifted.
"Our thoughts at this stage go to Stephen's family, who have never given up their quest to see justice for Stephen.
"Two men now stand charged with the murder of Stephen Lawrence. It is important that nothing is said or reported which could prejudice their right to a fair trial.
"We remind people of their responsibilities under the Contempt of Court Act to do nothing which could prejudice any future legal proceedings.
"The media is asked to respect the Lawrence family's privacy at this time."
The judges issued a statement, which said: "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."