Local lawyer bids to free Dando killer
The following article appeared in the Sheffield Star on Saturday 23 June 2007:
Local lawyer bids to free Dando killer
Appeal challenge to conviction evidence
A SHEFFIELD lawyer is leading the fight to free the man convicted of killing TV presenter Jill Dando.
Solicitor Jeremy Moore, who grew up in Brincliffe, is representing convicted murderer Barry George after he won the right to appeal against his conviction.
George was sentenced to life in 2001 after being found guilty of shooting the Crimewatch presenter dead on the doorstep of her London home two years earlier.
But the killer’s legal team is arguing that forensic evidence used to convict him is unsafe and should be challenged. The case centred on a single speck of firearms discharge found in George’s coat pocket.
His solicitor, whose parents Marvin and Ruth still live in Sheffield, said the conviction would eventually be seen “as one of the gravest miscarriages of justice of recent years.”
Mr Moore, aged 39, who now lives in Cheadle, Cheshire, was a pupil at Greystones Junior School and High Storrs before studying business studies and law at university in Liverpool.
He said: “Barry George has already spent seven years behind bars and has always maintained his innocence.
“He has been very anxious waiting for the decision on whether he could go to the Court of Appeal and I am sure he will be very pleased at the result.
“I have been unable to speak to him about the situation yet as the number of calls he is entitled to is limited.”
Chesterfield author Scott Lomax, who has written books questioning the conviction of George, expressed “delight” at news that an appeal is to go ahead.
Mr Lomax, whose latest book, Justice for Jill, goes on sale on June 30, said: “I am delighted that the Criminal Cases Review Commission has found that there is sufficient new evidence questioning Barry George’s guilt to warrant his case to be sent back to court.
“I have not yet spoken to Barry about this brilliant news but I am sure he will be overjoyed.
“I have always been convinced of Barry George’s innocence. I have studied a very large number of documents, have consulted people involved in this case and have examined many theories of what allegedly occurred.
“Throughout the time I researched the evidence, having kept an open mind throughout my research, I did not come across a single detail that has lent itself to a credible suggestion that Barry George was in any way involved, either directly or indirectly, in this heinous crime.
“I have concluded that the strength of the case for George’s innocence far outweighs that for his guilt.
“I look forward to the Court of Appeal once again examining this tragic case and hope that this time they reach the conclusion - same conclusion as I have – that Barry George is the victim of the greatest miscarriage of justice this country has seen in decades.”
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