This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6769469.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Fresh appeal in Dando murder case Fresh appeal in Dando murder case
(9 minutes later)
Barry George, the man serving a life sentence for the murder of TV presenter Jill Dando, has won the right to a fresh appeal.Barry George, the man serving a life sentence for the murder of TV presenter Jill Dando, has won the right to a fresh appeal.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission said it would refer the case back to the Court of Appeal.The Criminal Cases Review Commission said it would refer the case back to the Court of Appeal.
It said too much weight had been placed on forensic evidence concerning a speck of firearms residue in the trial.It said too much weight had been placed on forensic evidence concerning a speck of firearms residue in the trial.
George was convicted in 2001, two years after the BBC presenter was shot dead on her doorstep in Fulham, west London.George was convicted in 2001, two years after the BBC presenter was shot dead on her doorstep in Fulham, west London.
A convicted sex offender, 47-year-old George was jailed for life.A convicted sex offender, 47-year-old George was jailed for life.
He has always denied the murder and in 2002 he took his case to the Court of Appeal and lost.He has always denied the murder and in 2002 he took his case to the Court of Appeal and lost.
We have submitted very strong grounds which we feel cast serious doubts on the safety of the conviction Jeremy MooreBarry George solicitorWe have submitted very strong grounds which we feel cast serious doubts on the safety of the conviction Jeremy MooreBarry George solicitor
At his trial, the jury heard that he was a near neighbour, a loner and obsessed with guns, celebrities and the BBC, where he had worked as a messenger in 1976.At his trial, the jury heard that he was a near neighbour, a loner and obsessed with guns, celebrities and the BBC, where he had worked as a messenger in 1976.
He was found guilty by a majority verdict of 10 to one after the Old Bailey jury heard forensic scientists had found a single speck of residue from the gun used to kill Miss Dando, 37, in the pocket of his coat.He was found guilty by a majority verdict of 10 to one after the Old Bailey jury heard forensic scientists had found a single speck of residue from the gun used to kill Miss Dando, 37, in the pocket of his coat.
George's solicitor says the original case against him placed too much importance on this piece of evidence. George's solicitor says the original case against him placed too much importance on this piece of evidence and appealed to the commission on those grounds.
JILL DANDO MURDER CASE 26 April 1999 Jill Dando is shot dead in west London25 May 2000 Barry George, also known as Barry Bulsara, is arrested29 May 2000 George is charged with murder2 July 2001 George is found guilty of murder and later sentenced to life29 July 2002 George loses an appeal against his "unsafe" conviction16 Dec 2002 House of Lords refuses permission for further challenge25 March 2006 Lawyers submit new evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission It is the commission's job to consider whether, with new evidence or argument, there is a real possibility that a conviction would not be upheld.
Jeremy Moore said there was now fresh evidence which suggested George's coat may have been contaminated through the air, rather than by a firearm, as well as new information on his psychiatric state at the time of the killing. Chairman of the commission Professor Graham Zellick told BBC News: "We have reached the conclusion that the weight placed on that evidence at the trial was inappropriate, was incorrect."
The case, he said, would now go before the Court of Appeal once a date could be fixed.
He said he had been asked to consider other issues but the case was not referred to the Court of Appeal on any other grounds.
JILL DANDO MURDER CASE 26 April 1999 Jill Dando is shot dead in west London25 May 2000 Barry George, also known as Barry Bulsara, is arrested29 May 2000 George is charged with murder2 July 2001 George is found guilty of murder and later sentenced to life29 July 2002 George loses an appeal against his "unsafe" conviction16 Dec 2002 House of Lords refuses permission for further challenge20 June 2007 The Criminal Cases Review Commission grants George the right to another appeal
Earlier, George's solicitor Jeremy Moore said there was now fresh evidence which suggested George's coat may have been contaminated through the air, rather than by a firearm.
George's lawyers have said previously that they think the presence of armed officers and their involvement in his arrest were responsible for the gunshot residue.George's lawyers have said previously that they think the presence of armed officers and their involvement in his arrest were responsible for the gunshot residue.
Passers-by and neighbours gave conflicting accounts of men seen in the neighbourhood at the time of the shooting.Passers-by and neighbours gave conflicting accounts of men seen in the neighbourhood at the time of the shooting.
But Mr Moore said new witnesses have since come forward to say firearms officers were at the scene - a claim denied by police and prosecutors.But Mr Moore said new witnesses have since come forward to say firearms officers were at the scene - a claim denied by police and prosecutors.
Before George was found guilty, some thought the murder might have been the work of a professional hit man or an obsessive fan.Before George was found guilty, some thought the murder might have been the work of a professional hit man or an obsessive fan.
Described as the "Golden Girl of television", Miss Dando presented BBC programmes including the Six O'Clock News, Breakfast News, Crimewatch and Holiday.Described as the "Golden Girl of television", Miss Dando presented BBC programmes including the Six O'Clock News, Breakfast News, Crimewatch and Holiday.