Dando defence concludes case

Barry George denies murdering Jill Dando

The defence in the trial of the man suspected of killing TV presenter Jill Dando has concluded its case.

The jury will hear closing speeches on Wednesday.

The TV presenter was shot through the head on the doorstep of her home in Gowan Avenue, Fulham, west London, on 26 April 1999.

Michael Mansfield QC: Crown's case hangs by 'by the merest of threads'

The accused, Barry George, 42, of Crookham Road, Fulham, denies murder.

The judge, Mr Justice Gage, said there was a "realistic prospect" the jury would be asked to retire on Wednesday 27 June.

Michael Mansfield QC, defending, has told the jury that the prosecution case hung "by the merest of threads."

Earlier, he suggested Miss Dando could have been shot by a Serbian or underworld hit man.

A ballistics expert, called by the defence, told the Old Bailey the way Jill Dando was shot was technically perfect.

Major Peter Mead said it was difficult to imagine how it could have been bettered but he did concede that professional hitmen usually fired more than one shot to make sure of a kill.

But he said: "I cannot see someone who has killed with only one shot would be very severely criticised when reporting back."

Major Mead said the cartridge case found at the scene of the murder had crimp marks on it similar to those found in the Soviet Union and its satellite countries.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.