ST. ANTHONY, Idaho -- The family and legal team of an Idaho soldier convicted of killing an unarmed Iraqi say he has been denied clemency and will next focus on an August parole hearing.
Sgt. Evan Vela's wife, Alyssa Carnahan, tells the Post Register that Vela told her Wednesday that the U.S. Army Clemency and Parole Board denied clemency following a June 3 hearing.
Vela, a U.S. Army sniper, is serving a 10-year sentence after being convicted in 2008 of killing an Iraqi citizen and planting an AK-47 rifle on the dead man's body. Vela admitted to the killing, though he said he was following orders issued by his superiors.
Dan Conway, Vela's attorney, says he believes Vela has a better chance of being released on parole than being granted clemency.
