Retrial Ordered After Dando Murder Appeal Won

Barry George has won an appeal over his conviction for the murder of television presenter Jill Dando.

The 47-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2001 for the fatal shooting of Miss Dando, 37, outside her home in Fulham, west London in April 1999.

George has always denied any involvement in the crime. He originally lost his first appeal against his conviction, a year after he was sentenced.

However, on Thursday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the verdict in the trial was unsafe and ordered a re-trial.

George's lawyer had argued that the conviction was unsafe because of doubts over gunshot discharge residue found in his coat following his arrest more than a year after the shooting.

Summing up the court's decision on Thursday, Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, said: "It was, in fact, no more likely that the particle had come from a gun fired by Barry George than it had come from some other source.

"If this evidence had been given to the jury at the trial, there is no certainty they would have found George guilty.

"For this reason his conviction had to be quashed."

George was be remanded in custody.

(KMcA)