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Jury see Dando accused interview Dando accused's flowers for Jill
(about 2 hours later)
The jury in the Jill Dando murder trial has seen video footage of police questioning the television presenter's alleged killer after his arrest. Jurors in the Jill Dando murder trial have heard her alleged killer explain why he took flowers to the presenter's home following her death.
The four men and eight women began watching six and a half hours of recorded police interviews with Barry George carried out in May 2000. Footage of police interviews with Barry George played at the Old Bailey showed him tell how he collected condolence cards from local businesses.
The defendant was not in court. His lawyer said he was "in considerable pain" with suspected gall-stones. It was the first time that the jury of eight women and four men had heard the defendant's voice.
Mr George, 48, denies murdering Miss Dando on 26 April 1999.Mr George, 48, denies murdering Miss Dando on 26 April 1999.
The jury began watching six and a half hours of recorded police interviews carried out in May 2000.
The interviews took place at Hammersmith police station, west London, more than a year after Miss Dando was shot dead on her doorstep in Gowan Avenue, Fulham.The interviews took place at Hammersmith police station, west London, more than a year after Miss Dando was shot dead on her doorstep in Gowan Avenue, Fulham.
Witness statementWitness statement
The footage seen in the Old Bailey on Thursday showed Mr George sitting in an interview room, wearing a white forensics suit. Also present were his solicitor and a social worker.The footage seen in the Old Bailey on Thursday showed Mr George sitting in an interview room, wearing a white forensics suit. Also present were his solicitor and a social worker.
The defendant was questioned by two detectives for 44 minutes about a witness statement he had made the previous month regarding his whereabouts on the day of Miss Dando's murder.The defendant was questioned by two detectives for 44 minutes about a witness statement he had made the previous month regarding his whereabouts on the day of Miss Dando's murder.
He said he had been at a local help-centre for the disabled at the time she had been shot.
The prosecution's case is that he was devious, that he lied Jonathan Laidlaw, QCThe prosecution's case is that he was devious, that he lied Jonathan Laidlaw, QC
During the interview, he agreed that he had written a note recovered from his flat in which he expressed his sympathy for Miss Dando's family and her fiance Alan Farthing.
It read: "Condolences should go out to Alan and family and friends who are in great need of our prayers and for that reason I took it upon myself to lay flowers at her door on behalf of the fellowship."
Mr George said: "I wrote that before taking flowers to one of the officers on the police cordon, obviously only going as far as the cordon, handed it to the officers who then placed them."
Questioned about condolence cards which he had picked up from local firms, he said: "I had intended and had every intention of taking them to the cordon but obviously didn't.
"I just forgot and they remained unfortunately in my property."
He said he had been at a local help-centre for the disabled at the time she had been shot.
Asked how many times been there, Mr George replied: "I don't recollect, but I'm sure there are officers who actually, the people, the staff, that actually work there will be able to clarify that and obviously remember me."Asked how many times been there, Mr George replied: "I don't recollect, but I'm sure there are officers who actually, the people, the staff, that actually work there will be able to clarify that and obviously remember me."
When officers asked him how he got to the centre, he said: "I do recollect, but as I've spoken to my solicitor pertaining to the statement, it doesn't relate exactly to the directions that I've given at the time, although it would only be a matter of less than a couple of minutes."When officers asked him how he got to the centre, he said: "I do recollect, but as I've spoken to my solicitor pertaining to the statement, it doesn't relate exactly to the directions that I've given at the time, although it would only be a matter of less than a couple of minutes."
During the interview, Mr George drank from a polystyrene cup and often finished his sentences with the word "sir".
Jonathan Laidlaw, QC, for the Crown, said jurors should make some allowances for Mr George's psychological issues and epilepsy.Jonathan Laidlaw, QC, for the Crown, said jurors should make some allowances for Mr George's psychological issues and epilepsy.
But he told them: "I make it clear that the prosecution's case is that he was devious, that he lied and concessions were only obtained when confronted with incontrovertible evidence."But he told them: "I make it clear that the prosecution's case is that he was devious, that he lied and concessions were only obtained when confronted with incontrovertible evidence."
The defendant was not in court. His lawyer said he was "in considerable pain" with suspected gall-stones.
New identityNew identity
Earlier, the court heard that a Bruni blank-firing pistol shown in a photograph recovered from the defendant's flat appeared to have been modified to fire live rounds.Earlier, the court heard that a Bruni blank-firing pistol shown in a photograph recovered from the defendant's flat appeared to have been modified to fire live rounds.
David Pryor, a firearms expert, said that it had been "a very obvious and, to my mind, a very unusual modification".David Pryor, a firearms expert, said that it had been "a very obvious and, to my mind, a very unusual modification".
Evidence read to the court said Mr George had been put under police surveillance for three weeks prior to his arrest, during which time he was seen making 38 short approaches to women.Evidence read to the court said Mr George had been put under police surveillance for three weeks prior to his arrest, during which time he was seen making 38 short approaches to women.
He was observed visiting internet cafes to enter chatrooms or visit websites, which included information on DNA tests, surveillance, new identity services, and inquiries about passports and identity.He was observed visiting internet cafes to enter chatrooms or visit websites, which included information on DNA tests, surveillance, new identity services, and inquiries about passports and identity.
Others focused on "techniques to hide one's identity and websites listing firearms".
George was also spotted collecting a print-out "establishing elements of identity relating to Canadian identity procedure".
The judge, Mr Justice Griffith Williams, warned the jurors that the trial could go on longer than the estimated finish date of 8 August.The judge, Mr Justice Griffith Williams, warned the jurors that the trial could go on longer than the estimated finish date of 8 August.
Mr George, of Fulham, is being retried, having first faced trial for Miss Dando's killing in 2001.Mr George, of Fulham, is being retried, having first faced trial for Miss Dando's killing in 2001.