The Old Bailey jury trying the man accused of murd

The Old Bailey jury trying the man accused of murdering TV girl Jill Dando today (fri) learnt for the first time that he will not be taking the stand.

The evidence which will prove he was not the killer will come from eye witnesses, forensic scientists and his movements on the day of the shooting, said his QC Michael Mansfield.

He added: ‘None of this evidence will include the defendant himself.

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The QC told jurors the Crown’s case is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and lacks any evidence of a motive.

He said: ‘The Crown have endeavoured to suggest that this defendant had obsessional aspects to his personality and therefore, Jill Dando.

‘The fundamental flaw in this argument is that there is no evidence that prior to Jill Dando’s murder this defendant had any particular interest in her.

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Jobless George, 41, denies shooting dead TV presenter Jill, 37, on the doorstep of her west London home on April 26, 1999.

Mr Mansfield said his client and the victim had lived just half-a-mile away from each other for a number of years.

George did not meet or attempt to meet her, did not follow or stalk her and did not hang around outside her home in Gowan Avenue, Fulham, said the QC.

He said that among the 800 newspapers and magazines seized by police from the defendant’s flat in Crookham Road – only eight contained articles predating her death.

‘None of these had been marked up, highlighted, circled, cut-out, put to one side, or filed.

‘It is of special note that he did not have the current Radio Times for the week in which she died, which featured her on the front cover and inside.

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Mr Mansfield added: ‘Without any evidence of motive it is hard to see how the prosecution will suggest the defendant enters the frame at all.

‘They can hardly be heard to say that given his willingness to engage people in lengthy, and somewhat tedious, conversation that any obsession with Jill Dando had somehow been kept secret.

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The trial continues.

ends

Rover.