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Barry George found not guilty of murdering Jill Dando in doorstep hit

• After an eight-years in prison, an innocent man framed for murder by the Metropolitan Police who knew he was innocent, walks free again!

Barry George was framed for a murder he did not committ but justice has now been done

Barry George, the innocent man accused of killing TV's Jill Dando, has been found not guilty of her murder after a retrial at the Old Baily lasting two months.

George, 48, has always denied killing Jill, who was shot dead on her doorstep in Fulham, west London, in April 1999. George, an epileptic with a mental disability, was originally found guilty of murder in 2001. His first appeal was rejected but a second appeal, in November 2007, resulted in the conviction being quashed and a retrial ordered.

The second trial began on June 9 this year, with the judge ruling out evidence that a single particle of firearms discharge residue was found in the pocket of George’s coat. Prosecutors said he was a celebrity-obsessed stalker and the only candidate for the killing, which had no “rational motive” but the jury rejected the Prosecution's 'case'.

His sister Michelle Diskin, who was sitting in court, punched the air and cried “yes”. George is expected to be released and walk free from the Old Bailey today, 1 August 2008.

And the police who framed him for murder, face the embarrassing task of renewing the search for the gunman nine years after the popular Crimewatch presenter was murdered.

Scott Lomax, speaking to News Alliance outside the Old Bailey in London, gave his reaction to the jury's finding that Barry George is Not Guilty of the murder of Jill Dando:

"This is a good day, a day that should never have been required but justice delayed is still justice. Barry George has spent eight years locked away from society for a crime he did not commit. It has been a long and painful, indeed it has been a torturous experience for him.

"I personally would like to thank all of those who have supported Barry over this ordeal and I'd like to thank Barry's legal team who, against the odds have helped end this injustice. Most of all, however, I would like to thank the members of the jury who, upon hearing all of the evidence, with some irrelevant information thrown in for good measure, found that Barry George did not murder Jill Dando.

"The evidence at this trial was more tenuous, more circumstantial than the trial seven years ago. It should never have gone to court. We today see the end of a nightmare of epic proportions, a nightmare the result of a criminal justice system that is seriously flawed.

"I am pleased that justice for Barry has been achieved and I hope that he will be allowed to try and rebuild his life. But Barry has been in prison for another man's crime and I am anxious to see that justice achieved for Jill Dando. I hope that the police will waste no time in re-opening the investigation and bring the real killer to account.

"Lessons must be learnt from this case, and real change must occur. Wide ranging, deep rooted flaws in the system must be removed to reduce the likelihood of such injustices being repeated. I do not hold my breath but I live in hope.

"I hope that the police will admit that they read too much into weak evidence, resulting in an innocent man spending eight years in prison and allowing a cold blooded, callous killer to evade capture. And I hope today that a cloud of guilt and realisation passes over Scotland Yard as it recognises that it played a major role in allowing one of the greatest miscarriages of justice this country has seen in decades, to take place.

"I urge the media and the British public to allow Barry George to have the opportunity to try and rebuild his shattered life. And now I feel that all that is left for me to say, recognising the flawed procedures that resulted in an innocent man's imprisonment, is let the Metropolitan Police's public apologies and resignations begin."

Scott Lomax has written a book in support of Barry George's innocence and today he was vindicated.

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