British contractor fights report he is mentally able to stand trial in Iraq shooting death
By APSunday, June 13, 2010
Iraqi trial delayed over mental health dispute
BAGHDAD — Lawyers for a British security contractor accused of fatally shooting two colleagues are fighting a medical report stating he is mentally able to stand trial.
The legal appeal has postponed the trial of Danny Fitzsimons until August 4.
Baghdad criminal court judge Ali Abbas al-Yousif said Sunday that doctors found Fitzsimons’ mental condition normal.
But al-Yousif said a second panel of doctors will conduct another examination in response to Fitzsimons’ appeal.
Fitzsimons is accused of shooting two colleagues, a Briton and an Australian, during a fight in Baghdad’s Green Zone last summer and then wounding an Iraqi while fleeing.
All three men were working for the British security firm ArmorGroup Iraq.
