Replies

Did some more digging, found the letters:

208-334-1953

Crapo and Simpson Ask for
Clemency for Vela

Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Idaho 2nd District Representative Mike Simpson are asking U.S. military authorities to grant clemency to Sergeant Evan Vela, who was court martialed and convicted of murder without premeditation by a military court in February 2008. In separate letters to Major General Rick Lynch, Crapo and Simpson outlined their concerns with the conviction and the precedent it set regarding soldiers following military orders.

In his letter, dated March 7, 2008, Crapo wrote: “Soldiers are trained to follow orders issued to facilitate order and safety on the battlefield. When orders issued in high stress situations, such as Sgt. Vela found himself, contravene order, safety and perhaps the Rules of Engagement, more than one individual must be held accountable for the outcome, and the responsibility for errors in judgment must be shared by all involved. The outcome of this case could create an environment where under fire or in a threatening situation [a soldier] could hesitate to defend themselves or their comrades from a perceived threat. In my view, the final judgment in Sgt. Vela’s case calls into question the standard evaluation of basic rules of engagement, creating uncertain and dangerous operational environments for commanders and soldiers involved in day-to-day combat missions.”

In Simpson’s letter of April 3, 2008, he wrote: “In addition to conflicting accounts of the rules of engagement, I also have strong concerns over reports of Sgt. Vela’s physical and mental conditions at the time of the incident,” said Simpson. “There are a number of mitigating factors and extenuating circumstances in this case that make a compelling argument for clemency.”

Copies of both letters accompany this news release and are also available on the Congressmen’s respective websites.

Vela, who is originally from St. Anthony, Idaho, was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson, Alaska. He was convicted of killing an unarmed Iraqi civilian and planting evidence on the body. Throughout the investigation and trial, Vela has maintained, and his superior officers have confirmed, that Vela and fellow soldiers were following orders during the incident, which occurred in May 2007 near Iskandariyah, Iraq, which is about 30 miles south of Baghdad.

Copies of the letters follow:

April 3, 2008

Major General Rick Lynch, USA

Commanding General

Multi-National Division – Center

3rd Infantry Division

Dear General Lynch:

I write this letter as an appeal for clemency for Sergeant Evan Vela, a constituent from the state of Idaho assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

I have been in contact with members of Sergeant Vela’s family and members of his community throughout this court battle. Like them, I am concerned with the circumstances surrounding this case. According to my constituents, Sgt. Vela followed an order from his superior on the reasonable premise that his unit’s position would be compromised. Among the co-accused, Sgt. Vela has received the harshest punishment. I am concerned that he is playing the role of scapegoat in a series of tragedies in a time of war. In addition to conflicting accounts of the rules of engagement, I also have strong concerns over reports of Sgt. Vela’s physical and mental conditions at the time of the incident. There are a number of mitigating factors and extenuating circumstances in this case that make a compelling argument for clemency, and in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, I urge you to consider those factors and circumstances in your post-trial review.

I sincerely appreciate your attention and consideration of this request for clemency for Sgt. Evan Vela of St. Anthony, Idaho.

Sincerely,

Mike Simpson

United States Representative

March 7, 2008

Major General Rick Lynch, USA

Commanding General

Multi-National Division – Center

3rd Infantry Division

Dear General Lynch:

I am writing to appeal for clemency for Sergeant Evan Vela, a constituent from the state of Idaho assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

As I understand the facts of the case, Sgt. Vela followed an order from his superior on the reasonable premise that his unit’s position would be compromised. Yet, he received the harshest punishment among the co-accused. In addition to conflicting accounts of the rules of engagement, I have strong concerns over reports of Sgt. Vela’s physical and mental conditions at the time of the incident. There are a number of mitigating factors and extenuating circumstances in this case that make a compelling argument for clemency, and that I urge you to reconsider in your post-trial review.

As you well know, the unique nature of the current conflict in Iraq has introduced new challenges for the United States government and military. Too often and to the detriment of our troops, the same political considerations of nation-building weighed by elected officials and commanders on the ground are also shouldered by military men and women carrying out day-to-day security and stabilization missions in combat zones. The safety and success of our men and women in uniform would be seriously jeopardized if every service member was subjected to the same scrutiny for their actions during combat as in Sgt. Vela’s case.

While citizens of Iraq and Iraqi leaders may have strong interest in the outcome of this case, I urge you to consider the compelling message sent to fellow soldiers on the ground as they continue in their mission. Most of us cannot imagine the stress that those in uniform undergo when they have to make a split-second decision whether to fire or be fired upon, to kill or be killed. This War, especially one characterized by dangerously close combat scenarios, insurgent warfare, and constant uncertainty and confusion about friend or foe, does not provide the luxury of clear circumstances or marked enemies that better afford more identifiably right or wrong decisions to exercise deadly force.

Furthermore, soldiers are trained to follow orders issued to facilitate order and safety on the battlefield. When orders issued in high stress situations, such as Sgt. Vela found himself, contravene order, safety and perhaps the Rules of Engagement, more than one individual must be held accountable for the outcome, and the responsibility for errors in judgment must be shared by all involved. The outcome of this case could create an environment where under fire or in a threatening situation could hesitate to defend themselves or their comrades from a perceived threat. In my view, the final judgment in Sgt. Vela’s case calls into question the standard evaluation of basic rules of engagement, creating uncertain and dangerous operational environments for commanders and soldiers involved in day-to-day combat missions.

Just as you and Sgt. Vela wear the same uniform, Sgt. Vela and I share a state and community identity. I trust you will give this decision all the fairness and consideration that Sgt. Vela, as a member of the United States military, deserves and has earned with his service. While Evan Vela may never again wear the uniform of a soldier in the U.S. Army, I urge you to consider granting Sgt. Vela the ability to continue service to his country. The discipline and dedication which served him in the Army will continue to serve him in future years.

On behalf of Idaho and the United States, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and respect for your service to our country. I appreciate your attention and consideration of this request for clemency for Sgt. Vela.

Sincerely,

Mike Crapo

United States Senator