George cleared of Dando murder

12 April 2012

Barry George was cleared at the Old Bailey after eight years of trying to prove he did not kill television presenter Jill Dando.

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

George, an epileptic with mental disability, was originally found guilty of murder in 2001.

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

The second trial began on June 9 this year, with the judge ruling out evidence that a single particle of firearms discharge residue was found in the pocket of George's coat.

The judge, Mr Justice Griffith Williams, was told that the speck, although of the same type as found on the victim, could have come from other sources.

A jury of eight women and four men rejected the prosecution case that George was the killer who shot Miss Dando, 37, through the head on her doorstep in Fulham, west London.

Now police face the embarrassing task of renewing the search for the gunman nine years after the popular Crimewatch presenter was murdered in April 1999.

George showed no reaction as the verdict was read out. His sister Michelle Diskin, who was also sitting in court, punched the air and cried "yes".

George is expected to be released and walk free from the Old Bailey.

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