Man accused in BBC slaying wins retrial

LONDON, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- A London appeals court has ordered a retrial for a man convicted in 2001 of killing a woman who worked as a BBC television reporter.

The three-judge panel agreed with defense claims in the second appeal of Barry George, 47, that he was convicted based on "deeply flawed" evidence, The Times of London reported Thursday.

Jill Dando, 37, was killed by a single bullet from a gun pressed against her forehead on her doorstep in April 1999.

George lived near Dando, and was convicted largely based on the finding of one microscopic speck of gunshot residue found in his coat after his arrest a year later, his lawyers said.

Defense lawyer William Clegg also told the Court of Appeal of George's mental condition.

"He is a man who has learning difficulties. His intellectual functioning is in the borderline range. He suffers from epilepsy and has severe cognitive impairment." Clegg said.

George will remain in custody until his retrial, which was not immediately scheduled.