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Dando suspect won't give evidence at murder trial
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent21 Jul 2008
The alleged killer of Crimewatch presenter Jill Dando will not be giving evidence at his trial, jurors were told today.
Lawyers for Barry George, 48, instead called a forensic scientist who cast doubt on evidence of a fibre allegedly linked to him that was found on her coat.
Dando, 38, was shot dead on the doorstep of her Fulham home in April 1999. Today George sat in the dock alongside clinical psychologist Dr Susan Young as his barrister William Clegg, QC, began the defence case.
Mr Clegg told jurors at the Old Bailey: "The defendant Barry George will not be giving evidence but the first witness to be called on his behalf is Roger Robson."
Dr Robson, a former Home Office forensic scientist, was asked by Mr Clegg about his review of tests on a pale blue polyester fibre found on Dando's raincoat.
He said he did not agree with another scientist's claim that the fibre provided "weak support" for the prosecution case as others could have come into contact with the raincoat.
George, of Fulham, denies murder.
The trial continues.
