Man cleared of TV star's slaying

(CNN) -- The man jailed for the murder of a BBC presenter has been cleared of her murder in London, UK media have reported.

Barry George was jailed in 2001 for the slaying of TV personality Jill Dando, who was shot on the doorstep of her home in Fulham, west London in April 1999.

George, who is epileptic and has a mental disability, had the original verdict quashed after winning an appeal in November last year.

The judge presiding over his new trial ruled that evidence about a single particle of firearms residue being found in George's coat pocket was inadmissible.

George, who had always denied murdering Dando, was found not guilty at the Old Bailey court, London, Friday following the second trial, the UK's Press Association has reported.

At the time of her death in 1999, Dando, 37, was one of the highest-paid presenters on UK television.

She was a leading anchor for the BBC, working on flagship programmes, including Breakfast News, Crimewatch and the Six O'clock News.

The crime shocked Britain at the time, with the Queen saying she was "shocked and saddened" at news of the death. Prime Minister Tony Blair said that he was "deeply shocked" and had always found Dando "totally charming and hugely talented."

But the clinical nature of the murder -- one bullet through the head -- led to speculation that the crime may have been a contract killing.