Trump Pardons an American Hero

President Trump has issued another pardon. This time to an ex-Army Lieutenant who was convicted of killing an al-Qaeda terrorist in 2009.

President Trump has faced criticism for some of his pardons in the past, but this one seems to be getting massive support.

According to Fox News:

President Trump has pardoned a former Army lieutenant who was convicted in 2009 of killing an Iraqi prisoner suspected of being an Al Qaeda terrorist, the White House announced Monday evening.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders cited “broad support” for Michael Behenna, of Edmond, Okla., “from the military, Oklahoma elected officials, and the public” — including 37 generals and admirals, along with a former Pentagon inspector general — as the reason for Trump’s clemency grant. Sanders also said Behenna had been a “model prisoner” while serving his sentence.

“In light of these facts, Mr. Behenna is entirely deserving of this Grant of Executive Clemency,” Sanders concluded.

A military court originally sentenced Behenna to 25 years for unpremeditated murder in a combat zone. However, the Army’s highest appellate court noted concern about how the trial court had handled Behenna’s claim of self-defense, Sanders said. The Army Clemency and Parole Board reduced his sentence to 15 years and paroled him in 2014, as soon as he was eligible.

Behenna admitted at trial that he took the prisoner to a culvert and stripped him before questioning him. This was against orders he had to take the prisoner home. The prisoner was suspected of killing members of Behenna’s platoon.

Behenna claimed self-defense stating that he shot the prisoner after he threw concrete at him and reached for his firearm.

New evidence has revealed that the prosecution failed to disclose that their investigation seemed to support Behenna’s version of events.


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