United American Patriots,

 Major Bill Donahue and Heather Fields

Thanks again for all of your tremendous support over the years.   

Here is an update on Evan Vela’s case.  The government has responded to our appellate brief.  We are simply waiting for the Army Court of Criminal Appeals to either order oral arguments or to render a decision.  We do not know when that will be, but we expect a decision soon.  Evan’s appellate brief was well-done and raised a number of important legal issues.  The brief was 50 pages long.  We challenged whether the facts were sufficient to support a conviction on all charges.  We are also challenging whether the government violated his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination by forcing him to testify under oath twice and then prosecuting him for murder.  We also raised a number of procedural issues related to the selection of the jury and presence of the Iraqi Minister for Human Rights at the trial.  As I’m sure you are aware, nearly the entire jury pool came from the general’s headquarters.  It was a truly conflicted jury. 

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His parole was denied based on he has not served enough time considering the severity of his crime. Next step is to try parole and clemency again in a year. But they are saying we can do appeals, which should be ready to submit or only can be submitted in March I think, I can’t remember which. Ask folks to keep writing the governors and senators to not forget him. Also his address where he can be written for support can be found online in many places under LEAVENWORTH 10- he is part of a group of 10 others in his same situation. I know 2 out of the 10 are out or getting out soon. There are lots of us fighting for the Leavenworth 10. Thanks for your concern and support to all, we are truly saddened by the outcome.

Melissa Lopez
http://freeevanvela.blogspot.com/

Crossposted from Support Michael Leahy Jr

Honorable soldiers unjustly serving time at Fort Leavenworth:

• 1Lt Michael Behenna
• MSG John Hatley
• SFC Joseph Mayo
• SPC William Hunsaker
• Sgt Evan Vela Carnahan
• Pfc Corey Clagett

1Lt Michael Behenna

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November has been a really tough time for Evan.  His civilian attorney, Timothy Litka, who was working on Evan’s appeal, dropped from the case and re-entered the Army as a JAG officer, and with a promotion to Major.

This has abruptly stopped and appeals process.  The appeals brief that we received appeared to be fodder for the prosecution.

However, we were able to help Evan’s family find a new attorney, Gary Meyers.   Gary is an experienced attorney and is already jumping hard on the appeals process.

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Folks,

I received a very welcome letter from Evan who remains incarcerated at Ft Leavenworth, written on 3 September.

He is standing tall, with his head set squarely on his shoulders.  He thanked me (and United American Patriots) for “…the money you have been sending me and especially my family…I am more grateful than you know”.

We at United American Patriots remain convinced of his innocence.  That is why we have sustained monthly disbursements to Evan’s attorney who is in a full court press with his appeals process.

The legal bills are astronomical.   There are thousands of outstanding legal fees remaining from his Courts Martial, and, many thousands more to come due as a result of the appeals process.

Therefore, if you can afford anything at all…please send you contribution to:

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