'Murder trial accused showed no interest in Dando'

The man accused of shooting dead Jill Dando had never stalked or been obsessed with the TV presenter, an Old Bailey jury was told today.

Michael Mansfield QC, defending, said that without any evidence of motive it was hard to see how the prosecution would suggest Barry George ‘‘entered 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.

"Over the many months before her death those who had got to know the defendant on a regular basis do not suggest that he was wandering around muttering about, or obsessed with Jill Dando, as either someone he knew or wanted to know," said Mr Mansfield.

He was continuing his opening in the defence of Barry George, 42, who denies murdering Miss Dando outside her home in Gowan Avenue, Fulham, west London, on April 26, 1999. George will not give evidence himself.

Mr Mansfield said the prosecution case was "singularly lacking in any evidence that demonstrates a motive.

"Nevertheless, they have endeavoured to suggest that the defendant had obsessional aspects to his personality which involved a special or exaggerated interest in personalities 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."

Mr Mansfield said that despite the fact that George and Miss Dando lived within half a mile of one another over a number of years, there were 12 points they should consider.

:: He did not meet nor attempt to meet her.

:: He did not contact her by letter, or telephone, or in any other way.

:: He did not follow her, nor stalk her.

:: He did not hang around outside her address in the hope of contact.

:: Among all the photographic materials, developed and undeveloped, there were no photographs of her in the street, or off the television screen.’’

:: There were no signed, fan-style, photographs or posters.

:: Among all the lists relating to organisations and individuals found at George’s home there was no mention of Jill Dando with her address and telephone number.

:: There were no diagrams or marked up maps showing her address.

:: There were no videos of her television appearances on the news, the Holiday Programme or Crimewatch.

:: Of the 800-odd newspapers and magazines accumulated at George’s home, only eight pre-dating her death had articles about her and none of those had been marked up, highlighted, circled, cut-out, put to one side or filed.

:: It was of special note, said counsel, 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. There had been publicity in the press about her change of image in this regard.

:: Over the many years and months before her death, those who got to know the defendant on a regular basis did not suggest that he was "wandering around muttering about, or obsessed with Jill Dando, as either someone he knew, wanted to know, or had done him, or Freddie Mercury, some disservice."

The defence would put evidence before the jury from eyewitness from the 26th April, about George’s movements and from scientific experts.

"None of this evidence will include the defendant himself," Mr Mansfield said.