Old Bailey Clears George Of Dando Murder

Barry George has been cleared at the Old Bailey of the murder of television presenter Jill Dando.

Mr George, 48, was found not guilty of murder after his second trial and two appeals.

Mr George has maintained his innocence after being originally found guilty of murder in 2001.

Ms Dando was shot outside her home in Fulham, west London on 26 April 1999.

His first appeal was rejected but his second appeal, in November, resulted in the conviction being quashed and a retrial ordered.

Scientists had matched a speck of gun residue found in the pocket of Mr George's cashmere overcoat to firearms residue found in Ms Dando's hair.

However, at the second trial which opened in June, the judge ruled out the evidence.

Mr Justice Griffith Williams, was advised that the speck, could have come from another source.

The judge agreed with forensic experts who claimed that Mr George could have picked up the speck on the London Underground or a local bus.

He said: "There is no statistical evidence to support the conclusion that the particle was more likely to have come from the gun that shot Miss Dando than from innocent contamination."

A jury of eight women and four men rejected the prosecution case and the Crown Prosecution Service later said: "Mr George now has the right to be regarded as an innocent man."

Police now face the daunting task of renewing the hunt for the gunman, nine years after the Crimewatch presenter was murdered.

While Mr George showed no reaction as the verdict was read out, his sister Michelle Diskin, who was also present, punched the air and cried "yes".

In the hunt for Ms Dando's killer, more than 5,000 people were interviewed and over 2,400 statements were made.

(DS)