The nation watched with horror as legal and forensic blunders hindered the investigation for more than half of the past decade.
Brothers Danny Preddie, 18, and Ricky Preddie, 19, both from Peckham, south London, were convicted of the manslaughter of the boy, originally from Nigeria, who died after being stabbed in the leg with a broken bottle.
Rev N J Sterling, Chair of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA) Trustee Board, said, “At long last the process of closure can be brought to bear to this protracted and very sad event. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr & Mrs Taylor for their bravery and courageous endurance during what must have been an extremely stressful period. It must have felt like one long night that would not end.
“We also have in our thoughts the parents and relatives of the young men who have been found guilty of this hideous crime and trust they will receive the support they also will need to cope with the situation."
R. David Muir, Director of Public Policy at the Evangelical Alliance added, “As someone who was closely involved in the case and in supporting Damilola's family, I am pleased with the outcome of this verdict. Nothing can bring Damilola back to his family, but his parents Gloria and Richard can take comfort in the knowledge that those who brutally took their son's life are behind bars.”Nothing can bring Damilola back to his family, but his parents Gloria and Richard can take comfort in the knowledge that those who brutally took their son's life are behind bars.
R. David Muir, EA's Director of Public Policy
In November 2000, Damilola Taylor died in the stairwell of a run-down housing estate after the Preddie brothers attacked him with a broken bottle. He had only been in the country for a few months.
Following the murder, CCTV footage was released on television showing him skipping home from the library just minutes before he died.
The Preddie brothers, who were 12 and 13 at the time of the killing, denied manslaughter, but, following the guilty verdict, will be sentenced in two weeks time.
