Free Michael Behenna Petition Swells By 500

Five hundred new signers in the past week have swelled the "Free Michael Behenna" online petition to about 3,500.

Petition signers seek a new military trial for the Army Airborne lieutenant from Edmond who was convicted of murder in the death of an Al Qaida operative in Iraq.

The petition was written by Behenna's fiancee, Shannon Wahl (pictured with Behenna).

Military prosecutors withheld evidence favorable to Behenna at his court martial, and that action has prompted calls for a new trial or dismissal of the charge against him.

Behenna, the son of federal prosecutor Vicki Behenna and retired Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent Scott Behenna, was praised for his combat leadership prior to the incident that put an end to his military career. He is now in prison serving a 25-year sentence.

Those wishing to sign the petition can click the link on the right side of this page or go directly to www.defendmichael.com.

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Fiancee Pushes Free Michael Behenna Petition

Supporters of Edmond soldier Michael Behenna are amassing an online army via a petition to win him a new trial in the shooting death of an Iraqi detainee, and thus far, almost 3,000 signatures have been gathered.

Behenna, 26 and a lieutenant in the 101st Airborne, is serving a 25-year prison sentence for unpremeditated murder, even though an expert witness hired by government prosecutors agreed Behenna’s version of the suspected terrorist’s May 2008 death fit evidence in the case. Behenna testified he shot Ali Mansour in self-defense.

Military prosecutors did not call their own forensics expert to testify during Behenna's court martial and revealed his findings only after he informed defense attorneys after the trial was over.

Behenna’s family and others close to him insist he deserves a new trial so a jury can hear all of the evidence in the case. The petition, written by Behenna's fiancee Shannon Wahl, seeks a new trial. The same goal motivated more than two dozen prominent Oklahomans and attorneys, including former federal prosecutors, to ask the secretary of defense to order a new trial.

"He deserves a new trial, and he was not given that,” Wahl said. "There clearly was an injustice here.”

An appeal has been filed with the commanding general of the 101st Airborne, who has the authority to order a new trial, dismiss the charge, or alter Behenna's sentence.

To sign the petition, see the link on the right side of this page or go directly to http://www.defendmichael.com/.

Click here to read the complete article at NewsOK.com.

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