Former Soldier's Parents in Plea Over Iraq Murder Case

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THE parents of a former soldier facing the death penalty in Iraq over the killing of two colleagues pleaded with the British Government yesterday to help save his life. Danny Fitzsimons, 29, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, is alleged to have shot dead two fellow private security guards in a drunken fight in Baghdad's Green Zone last August. If convicted of murdering Paul McGuigan, of Peebles, Scotland, and Australian Darren Hoare, both 37, he could be hanged.

His father Eric and stepmother Liz called on UK authorities to back his bid for clemency. Mrs Fitzsimons said: "We need help. We need help from the British Government, we need help to try to save Danny's life. We need fairness for Danny." Clive Stafford Smith, director of legal charity Reprieve, said it was the Government's "legal and moral duty" to get involved in the case. He called on ministers to make direct representations to the Iraqi government and assist his defence team in building a case.

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Former Soldier's Parents in Plea Over Iraq Murder Case

Fitzsi...

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