Two (sent) down, more to go

The conviction for murder of two of the suspects in the Stephen Lawrence case is a measure of restorative justice, yet given that they were already serving jail terms, it probably only means that their chances of parole from their previous felonies will not take place, given the longer punishment of this crime, institutionalising them so that they struggle if they are ever released from incarceration.  But there are confreres of theirs who live normal lives, despite playing a part in that horrendous night in 1993.  One of the two brothers under suspicion, Jamie Acourt, was confronted by the BBC in the street after he didn't reply to their request for an interview.  He made out that he was on a mobile phone and in a hurry as if he couldn't speak to them - a ridiculous charade.  As the television camera rolled, Acourt got into a car and drove off, still with phone clasped by hand and clamped to ear.  This is prima facie evidence of him committing a crime - driving while 'using' a mobile phone.  Even if no-one else was on the end of the phone, he only had one hand on the wheel.  If the police don't act on this, it will be fishy.  He may get a fine and three points on his licence; given his record, it might go to court where he could be disqualified from driving and given a £1,000 penalty.  It's not quite Al Capone and tax evasion but any legal constraints laid upon him and his barbarous friends acts as another step towards some sort of justice for Lawrence, the innocent teenager who just happened to have a skin colour that some people just cannot accept through a mental defect of theirs.  A change in general social attitudes - despite racism still occuring in places - is the probably the biggest tribute to Lawrence's life and the efforts of his parents.