Petition Asks for New Murder Trial of Oklahoma Soldier

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A metro family is turning up the heat on its battle with the U.S. Army. They're confident an online petition will result in a new murder trial for their son who served in Iraq.

Michael Behenna's family and fiancé are doing whatever it takes to get the attention of Congress. At defendmichael.com, more than 3,000 people from around the world have signed a petition that will be delivered to Congress this week.

The petition asks that First Lieutenant Michael Behenna be granted a new trial for the 2008 shooting death of an Iraqi detainee.

In March, the 26-year old from Edmond was sentenced to 25-years in prison for murder, but his family said the shooting was in self defense, and prosecutors withheld critical evidence that could have cleared him of the crime.

"Michael didn't get his right to a fair trial, so what we were trying to do is raise awareness for the congressional delegation so that they knew there was a lot of support for this soldier to receive a fair trial," said Michael's mother Vicki Behenna.

Michael's parents say his fiancé in California, Shannon, is the driving force behind the online petition.
She hopes it's enough to convince every member of Congress to re-examine the case.

"Everyone is going to know who Michael is and they're going to know that this isn't going to fade away. An injustice has happened and it needs to be fixed," said Shannon Wahl, Michael's fiancé.

In addition to the online petition, supporters have left hundreds of messages and prayers for Michael and his family. They've also written to him in prison.

"It keeps him going. As a matter of fact, he's received so many letters from people across the country that he's almost run out of space for them and he's going to have to box them up and send them home," Vicki Behenna said.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson, David Prater, David Boren and several others have all sent a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Army. It strongly recommends that Michael be granted another trial. Congresswoman Mary Fallin and Senator Jim Inhofe are also expressing support for the family.

A spokesman for the Secretary of the U.S. Army said Behenna's case is still scheduled to go through several more automatic appeals. The army will turn over its findings in this case if Congress does ask for a review.

More on News9.com:

- Read and sign the petition letter

- DefendMichael.com

- Preliminary hearing held for Oklahoma soldiers

- Mother Fights for Soldier Son's Innocence