Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

January 16, 2009

In May 2007, Sgt. Evan Vela shot an Iraqi civilian point-blank on the orders of his field commander. Subsequently convicted of murder, the Idaho native is now serving a ten-year sentence in Ft. Leavenworth Prison.

The Iraqi stumbled into Sgt. Vela?s five-man sniper squad, which had taken up a concealed position on his property.

When the Iraqi began to struggle and cry out, Staff Sergeant Michael Hensley ordered him shot to protect his unit. Although the order was clearly illegal, Vela carried it out. Hensley then planted a rifle on the Iraqi?s body and concocted a cover story.

Hensley later admitted to issuing the order, but was acquitted by a military tribunal. Evan Vela alone was convicted of murder.

The ultimate responsibility for that killing rests with the president who ordered our troops to carry out a war of aggression ? and who displayed no interest in commuting Evan Vela?s sentence.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.