ST. ANTHONY - The wife and two children of an Idaho soldier serving 10 years in prison following his 2008 conviction of unpremeditated murder in the killing of an unarmed Iraqi have received a cash gift of $1,000 and presents from an anonymous donor.
The family of Evan Vela is expressing gratitude for the Christmas donation.
Curtis Carnahan, Vela's father, says Vela's wife and children are living in the Kansas City area to be near Vela, who is being held at a military prison at Fort Leavenworth.
Carnahan tells the Standard Journal that a group called United American Patriots is paying Vela's legal fees to appeal his conviction, as well as helping support the family financially.
He says the family is humbled by the anonymous donor's gift.
