And With That Development, the GOP Should Fire the Dem Senate Parliamentarian
Top Dem Answered Questions About NYC's Lunatic Mayoral Candidate in Predictable Fashion
Wow: Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court Hands Dems a Major Defeat on Congressional Maps
Here's What the Trump Administration Plans to Do Once Kilmar Abrego Garcia Is...
They Strip-Searched, Shackled, and Detained This Grandmother – They Had the Wrong Suspect
Top Putin Ally Backs Off Claim That Russia Could Supply Iran With Nukes...
Republicans Just Found Their Perfect Democrat Boogeyman
Precision Over Panic: Never Underestimate American Lethality
Another Company Chooses to Invest Stateside
China Plays Dirty in Rare-Earth Magnet Trade
Unmasked: Former High-Ranking NYS Employee Indicted for COVID-19 PPE Fraud
'This Is Bulls**t': NSF Employees Protest HUD Relocation
Homan Won’t Let Far-Leftist Running For NYC Mayor Keep ICE Away
Democrats Rush to Support LaMonica McIver As She Pleads 'Not Guilty'
A Democrat State Rep. Was Caught Shoplifting. Here's the Catch.
Tipsheet

President Trump Pardons Former Army Lieutenant

After backing from a number of military leaders and local officials, President Trump issued a pardon to former Army First Lieutenant Michael Behenna Monday evening. Behenna is from Oklahoma and was convicted of killing a man he believed to be an Al Qaeda terrorist while deployed in Iraq. 

Advertisement

Some background from Stars and Stripes

Behenna acknowledged during his trial that instead of taking the prisoner home as he was ordered, he took the man to a railroad culvert, stripped him, and then questioned him at gunpoint about a roadside bombing that had killed two members of Behenna's platoon.

Behenna, a native of the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond, said the man moved toward him and he shot him because Behenna thought he would try to take his gun.

"In 2009, a military court sentenced Mr. Behenna to 25 years in prison for unpremeditated murder in a combat zone.  After judgment, however, the U.S. Army’s highest appellate court noted concern about how the trial court had handled Mr. Behenna’s claim of self-defense," the White House released in a statement. "Additionally, the Army Clemency and Parole Board reduced his sentence to 15 years and paroled him as soon as he was eligible in 2014—just 5 years into his sentence.  Upon his release, dozens of Patriot Guard motorcycle riders met Mr. Behenna to escort him back to his home in Oklahoma."

"Mr. Behenna’s case has attracted broad support from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public. Thirty-seven generals and admirals, along with a former Inspector General of the Department of Defense, signed a brief in support of Mr. Behenna’s self-defense claim," the statement continues. "Numerous members of the Oklahoma congressional delegation, Oklahoma’s then-Governor Mary Fallin, and current Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter have also expressed support for Mr. Behenna.  Further, while serving his sentence, Mr. Behenna was a model prisoner.  In light of these facts, Mr. Behenna is entirely deserving of this Grant of Executive Clemency."

Advertisement

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is applauding the pardon, in addition to some who know Behenna.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement