Defend 1LT Michael Behenna

This blog is about 1LT Michael Behenna. He has been convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing an Al Qaeda Operative in self defense. The government withheld exculpatory evidence from their expert that was favorable to the defense but the judge still denied motions for a mistrial and new trial.

Bio
My name is Shannon Wahl and I am 1LT Michael Behenna's girlfriend. We have been dating for 3 1/2 years starting in college at the University of Central Oklahoma but we have know each other since 2nd grade. We are both 25 years old and have planned a life together. He is the love of my life, the man who has taught me so much about how family and friends are the most important thing.

Summary
1LT Michael Behenna, a young Army Officer, deployed to Iraq in September 2007 for his first combat experience. In July 2008 he was charged with the murder of Ali Mansur. There are documents that were entered during the trial that established that Ali Mansur was a known terrorist. 1LT Behenna testified that he acted in self-defense. The military prosecutors argued that 1LT Behenna executed the terrorist while he was sitting on a rock.

What the military didn't tell Michael's defense lawyers was that their own expert agreed with 1LT Behenna's story that Ali Mansur was standing with his arms outstretched reaching for the LT's gun and not seated on a rock when the shooting occurred. Because the military hid that information from defense lawyers, they could not call the government's own expert to testify for 1LT Behenna. The jury convicted 1LT Behenna of unpremediated murder and gave him a sentence of 25 years. 1LT Behenna’s only recourse to correct the government’s Brady violation is to appeal the verdict and sentence to an appellate court. Until that occurs 1LT Behenna will be confined to prison.

Awareness
The email from Dr. MacDonnell, the governments expert, to the prosecuting attorneys telling them ‘in the interest of justice’ to advise the defense of his conclusion that Lt Behenna was telling the truth. This evidence is considered ‘exculpatory’ and is required to be turned over to the defense as soon as the government learns of it. This email was received by the defense team AFTER the verdict.

This blog is to raise awareness that 1LT Michael Behenna did not receive a fair trial. We are here to bring justice to Michael Behenna and others in the same situation. Let's protect our future hero's!

I will update this blog as things come up. Micheal needs our help now more than ever. Please tell your friends, families, and anyone who will listen. Please help support in any way you can.

For the full story and a time line of the events go to www.DefendMichael.com

Other sites are:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=59708178321&ref=ts

http://twitter.com/DefendMichael

Michael, I Love you always
Shannon