Further delay in Mcguigan murder trial
David O'Leary • Published 28 Jan 2011 09:30
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THE family of a Peebles security guard killed in Iraq face further agony after the trial of the man suspected of killing him was adjourned again.
Paul McGuigan, 37, from Peebles, and Australian Darren Hoare were allegedly gunned down in Iraq by former paratrooper Danny Fitzsimons in August 2009.
A verdict on Fitzsimons, from Greater Manchester, was due last week but an Iraqi judge delayed it to consider the accused's mental state.
Paul's fiancee Nicci Prestage said: "It's frustrating and upsetting. People have no idea of the agony families go through."
Fitzsimmons is accused of premeditated murder as well as the attempted murder of an Iraqi guard.
He has pleaded not guilty, claiming he was mentally ill at the time of the shooting in August 2009 and acted in self-defence.
The 30-year old from Rochdale, could face the death penalty if found guilty.
The three men had been working for British security firm ArmorGroup, based in the Iraqi capital's fortified Green Zone, at the time.
He is the first westerner to stand trial in Iraq after a 2009 US-Iraqi security agreement lifted immunity for foreigners.
His family in the UK have called on the British government to bring him back to face a trial under the UK judicial system.
The trial has now been adjourned until February 20 while judges consider Mr Fitzsimons' psychiatric report.
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 28 Jan 11
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