Army Board Makes Decision On Soldier's Fate, Keeps Edmond Family In Dark

This weekend could make a world of difference for the family of an Edmond soldier locked up behind bars.

Friday, December 17th 2010, 10:58 pm

By: News 9


Rusty Surette, News 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma -- This weekend could make a world of difference for the family of an Edmond soldier locked up behind bars.

Army Ranger 1st Lieutenant Michael Behenna is serving 15 years at a facility in Kansas for killing an Iraqi detainee, but his family said it was act of self-defense and their son did not receive a fair trial.

"I'm just very honored to be his mom," Vicki Behenna said.

Mrs. Behenna, who is also an assistant U.S. Attorney, is working to have her son's conviction overturned, based on the grounds military prosecutors withheld evidence during the trial.

Just a few weeks ago, Mrs. Behenna testified before the Army Clemency Board in hopes of getting her son's sentence reduced. Since the hearing, she has learned the board has made a decision on her son's fate. However, her son is the only one who knows what the board has decided and it will be up to him to share the news with the family.

"We have our cell phone right here. We're just waiting for him to call," Mrs. Behenna said.

The Behennas are traveling to Kansas to visit their son this weekend, and they're looking forward to finding out what the board decided.

Lt. Behenna's original sentence was 25 years, but it's been reduced twice to 15 years. Without parole or a new trial, Lt. Behenna will get out of prison when he is 40 years old.

Learn more about the Behenna family's fight to free Lt. Michael Behenna.

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