THE man jailed for murdering TV presenter Jill Dando is to face a retrial.
THE man jailed for murdering TV presenter Jill Dando is to face a retrial.
Barry George, 47, today won his appeal against his conviction.
George was in the dock of the Court of Appeal in London as the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, and two other senior judges allowed the appeal.
Lord Phillips announced: "The verdict is unsafe. The conviction will be quashed."
It was George's second legal challenge to a jury's 2001 verdict that he shot the 37-year-old BBC News, Crimewatch and Holiday presenter on the steps of her home in Fulham, south-west London, in April 1999.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment but no minimum term was recommended by the trial judge, High Court or the Home Secretary.
In June this year, the Criminal Cases Review Commission announced it would refer the case to the Court of Appeal.
The new appeal centred on fresh scientific evidence relating to a microscopic speck of firearm discharge residue found in George's coat following his arrest a year after the shooting.
No application for bail was made today and Lord Phillips said George would be remanded in custody.
George, dressed in a suit and dark blue shirt, smiled at his sister, Michelle Diskin, as he was led from the dock of the packed courtroom.
Lord Phillips warned the media to be "extremely careful" not to publish anything that might prejudice the new trial.
George is to be rearraigned on a fresh indictment on the charge of murder within the next two months.
Jill Dando's fiance expressed disappointment at today's decision.
Alan Farthing, a consultant gynaecologist, said: "I am disappointed, particularly for those of us who have suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one prematurely.
"We all cope in our various ways and have had to move on with our lives.
"Therefore I have great sympathy for those who will now have to take emotional steps back in time to recall again, in detail, their involvement in this tragic case."
