Idaho lawmakers appeal for soldier’s clemency

[unhappycamper]

Idaho lawmakers appeal for soldier’s clemency
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Apr 4, 2008 21:17:02 EDT

BOISE, Idaho — Two Idaho Congressional leaders are urging military officials to grant clemency to a soldier raised in Idaho and convicted for planting evidence and killing an unarmed Iraqi citizen.

Sgt. Evan Vela, of St. Anthony, faces a possible life sentence after a military jury in February found him guilty of murder without premeditation in the 2007 killing of an Iraqi man outside Baghdad.

The Army sniper’s case is on appeal.

But Sen. Mike Crapo and Rep. Mike Simpson, both Idaho Republicans, say Vela was simply following the orders of his superiors. Those are the same claims Vela argued during the investigation and trial.

Crapo and Simpson have each written letters to Army leaders saying the facts of the case warrant clemency for Vela.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_soldiertrial_040408/