Sgt. Evan Vela is accused of premeditated murder.

BOISE -- Relatives of Sgt. Evan Vela, who was convicted of murdering an unarmed Iraqi civilian in February, have been collecting pardon letters. They’re asking for the army sniper's release from prison.

Now two Idaho lawmakers are stepping up their fight and asking for time to meet one on one with President Bush.

Representative Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, says he's looked over the evidence and doesn't agree that Sergeant Vela's punishment fits the crime.

"We've followed this, both Senator Crapo and I from the beginning,” says Representative Simpson , “and quite frankly, reviewing this myself, you look at the circumstances that existed and I think that he is kind of a scape-goat for others.”

A scape-goat, that's the term Sergeant Vela's supporters have been using since his ordeal started.

They say the 24-year old from Eastern Idaho was simply following his commander’s orders when he killed the Iraqi man.

Reports say the Iraqi civilian stumbled upon Vela and five other soldiers while they were sleeping in May of 2007.

Vela was arrested with the other soldiers, but in the end they were all let go, leaving Vela to take the blame for the death. 

The sergeant went to trial in Iraq in February and was eventually convicted by a general court martial and sentenced to ten years in prison.

“I have looked at the circumstances in this case and we place these young men and women in difficult positions in a time of war,” said Representative Simpson, “and I think sometimes we expect them to act in ways that are unrealistic compared to the circumstances they are in."

Representative Simpson and Senator Crapo have joined Vela supporters who are begging Bush for a presidential pardon.  The two lawmen from Idaho have each written a letter, addressed to the West Wing of the White House.

"I think this is a very important case for our nation and our military quite frankly," said Representative Simpson.

More than 50 letters have been sent but Simpson says he is hoping to do more when he is back in Washington on Tuesday.

"I would like to speak personally with the President when we get back there," said Representative Simpson.

In the meantime, Vela will sit in a military prison at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.  While his wife, children, and parents here in Idaho, work to get him freed.

"I would like to see him pardoned. And our President, under our Constitution, has the ability to pardon anyone that he wants to if he thinks the circumstances suggest that he should.  So we have asked him to look at this case seriously," said Representative Simpson.

Presidential pardons are usually granted at the end of an administration, that's why there is a nation wide effort to get to Bush before January 20th.

Bush has made pardons in the past. In fact, just before Thanksgiving he granted 14 pardons and reduced prison sentences for two others.

If the pardon is not granted, Vela's family says they will continue with the appeals process. If either process is successful, he could be re-instated to full rank status in the army. If not, he will be dishonorably discharged.

The charges against Vela's co-defendants, Staff Sergeant Michael Hensley and Specialist Jorge Sandoval, were dropped last year.