More than 60 people today (TUES) heard they could

More than 60 people today (TUES) heard they could be on the Old Bailey jury to try the alleged murderer of television presenter Jill Dando.

A panel of 12 jurors will be selected from the pool tomorrow when the prosecution is expected to open the case against Barry George, 41.

Miss Dando, the former presenter of Crimewatch UK, and Holiday, was shot on the doorstep of her home in Gowan Avenue, Fulham, on April 26 1999.

Unemployed George, who is also known as Barry Bulsara, has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 37-year-old.

Mr Justice William Gage told jurors that the trial, which is the most keenly anticipated hearing at the Old Bailey in recent years, will last between six and eight weeks.

The pool of more than 60 potential jurors were each handed a questionnaire to fill out before the final selection can be made tomorrow morning.

Miss Dando died from a single shot to the back of the head after returning home from a shopping trip.

George, who lived in nearby Crookham Road, Fulham was arrested a year after the murder following a huge police inquiry.

He changed his name to Bulsara in honour of the original name of Queen singer Freddie Mercury.

The judge today delivered his rulings on lengthy legal submissions made by prosecutor Orlando Pownall and George’s barrister Michael Mansfield, QC.

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