Evangelicals Stand with Walker Family as Murder Trial Returns Guilty Verdict

The murder trial for the killing of Anthony Walker has resulted in a guilty verdict being given to two youths. Michael Barton, 17, and Paul Taylor, 20, were convicted of the racist killing yesterday by a jury at Preston Crown Court, sitting in Liverpool.

|PIC1|The Evangelical Alliance has offered great support to the mother of Anthony, Mrs Walker throughout the past months and was there again in Liverpool.

Michael Barton had denied killing Anthony but was found guilty of murder, but his cousin Paul Taylor, had previously admitted his part in the killing.

Anthony, 18, was killed with an ice axe at McGoldrick Park in Huyton, Merseyside, on 29 July.

Barton, whose brother is Manchester City Premiership footballer Joey Barton, and his cousin will now face a mandatory life sentence and the minimum tariff for racially motivated murders is 30 years.

Rev Joel Edwards, the General Director of the Evangelical Alliance stated, “Anthony’s life was brutally taken from him in a senseless attack. His killers gave no consideration to him or his family, who have suffered so much by his death. We stand by the Walker family who have so bravely spoken a Christian message of forgiveness at this difficult time and pray that his life would not have been in vain.”

|AD|With great passion the family of the murdered student now plan to use his name to fight racism within communities in the UK. With a charity now being set up in his memory to educate children about the need for unity and respect.

According to the BBC, Gee Walker said she would not let her son's name be forgotten. She said, “His life is going to make a change.”

Dominique, Anthony's sister said the family wanted to bring people of all races and backgrounds together “to raise understanding and break down barriers.

“They need to know what is going on. They need to understand about different cultures, they need to understand the way different people think. Simple things like respect is one thing which kids should all learn and not many kids do.”

Anthony Walker, before he was killed was a committed and devoted Christian, and was a youth leader at an Evangelical Alliance member church – Grace Family Church in Liverpool.

Last month Mrs Walker attended the Evangelical Alliance’s Champions of Respect awards, and presented the Anthony Walker Memorial Prize in memory of her son.

Following the convictions yesterday, Barton and Taylor will receive their sentences today, Dec. 1st.