Free Behenna Petition Swells To 11,000 Signatures
Fueled by the words of syndicated radio talk show host Michael Savage, a petition seeking a new trial for Edmond Army Lt. Michael Behenna now has about 11,000 signatures.
The petition, launched by Behenna's fiance, Shannon Wahl, and his parents, Vicki and Scott Behenna, is addressed to Senators Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, Congresswoman Mary Fallin, the U. S. Secretary of Defense and others. It can be signed at http://www.defendmichael.com/.
Before Savage's comments critical of the Army, and an interview with Vicki Behnna, the petition had slightly more than 5,000 signatures.
Behenna is serving a 15-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth for unpremediated murder in the death of an al Qaida operative in Iraq. His trial was marred by the withholding of forensic evidence favorable to him and that act is the basis for appeals for clemency and a new trial. The Army's Clemency Board last week reduced his sentence to 15 years (initially, it was 25 years, then reduced to 20 years).
The entire congressional delegation, Governor Brad Henry, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and dozens of other present and former state and federal prosecutors have expressed outrage over the withholding of the evidence and support a new trial for the 25-year-old officer, lauded for his combat leadership prior to his court martial.
The petition, launched by Behenna's fiance, Shannon Wahl, and his parents, Vicki and Scott Behenna, is addressed to Senators Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, Congresswoman Mary Fallin, the U. S. Secretary of Defense and others. It can be signed at http://www.defendmichael.com/.
Before Savage's comments critical of the Army, and an interview with Vicki Behnna, the petition had slightly more than 5,000 signatures.
Behenna is serving a 15-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth for unpremediated murder in the death of an al Qaida operative in Iraq. His trial was marred by the withholding of forensic evidence favorable to him and that act is the basis for appeals for clemency and a new trial. The Army's Clemency Board last week reduced his sentence to 15 years (initially, it was 25 years, then reduced to 20 years).
The entire congressional delegation, Governor Brad Henry, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and dozens of other present and former state and federal prosecutors have expressed outrage over the withholding of the evidence and support a new trial for the 25-year-old officer, lauded for his combat leadership prior to his court martial.
Labels: Michael Behenna
posted by Mike McCarville @ 10:31 AM
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