Is Black Life Cheap?
Following the clearing of the remaining three youths standing trial for the murder of Damilola Taylor Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, today expressed grave concern that no-one has yet been successfully convicted of this “brutal murder”. She said that everyone wants justice proper yet the failure to secure a conviction in this case will inevitably send out the message that “black life is cheap”.
A 20-year-old man was cleared on Monday and another two teenagers were cleared of all charges yesterday. In 2002 four other youths aged under 18 were cleared of killing the schoolboy, who came to England from Nigeria just three months before his death.
Diane said: “Yet another black family has been denied justice. Four youths have already been cleared of killing Damilola following a trial in 2002. This was on the back of a witness who incriminated the defendants being discredited as a fantasist by defence lawyers. Now another three men have walked free”. She added: “Whilst we are all concerned that justice be served rightly it is very worrying that no-one has been successfully convicted of this hideous crime. This should be of concern to every parent and member of the community but will be of particularly grave concern to the black community.” Diane explained: “it is alarming that the message being conveyed once again is that black life is cheap.”
Diane went on: “It is hard not to draw some comparison with the killing of Stephen Lawrence where several youths were initially arrested but where authorities ultimately failed to bring anyone to justice. I think it would be a disgrace to allow a repeat of this and it would run the risk of undermining faith in our justice system, not just by members of the black community but of everyone committed to equality before the law.”
Forensic experts initially failed to spot a drop of blood on the shoe of a suspect who was questioned by police in relation to Damilola’s death..
Diane concluded: “everyone’s thoughts must be with Damilola’s parents at this time. I am deeply saddened that more than 5 years on Damilola and his family are still waiting for justice to be served. A catalogue of errors has contributed to the failure to get convictions in this case and I support calls for an official inquiry into the litany of mistakes that in the end denied Damilola justice.”
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