On his show 2/18, Michael Savage announced that he had sent another $50,000 to aid in the defense of Lieutenant Michael Behenna, the Army Ranger who has been sentenced by the government to 25 years in prison for killing Ali Mansur, a known Al Qaeda operative, while serving in Iraq.
“I want you to understand that we do make a difference here on The Savage Nation. This is not just a show,” said Savage about the money collected from listeners through the Savage Legal Defense Fund. “Even if you haven’t sent him any money, even if you only emailed him or wrote him a letter it’s giving him the hope that one day he will be freed.”
Savage has previously given $50,000 to Behenna’s defense from the Savage Legal Defense Fund and his own personal contributions. According to Vicki Behenna, the Lieutenant’s mother, additional contributions from listeners since Savage brought up this topic on his program have amounted to over $40,000. This brings the total contributions from The Savage Nation to nearly $150,000.
Ali Mansur, a known member of an Al Qaeda cell, was captured by Behenna’s platoon in Iraq in 2008 after he organized an attack which killed two U.S. soldiers and injured two more. Lt. Behenna was ordered to personally return the terrorist to his home and release him. According to Behenna’s account, Mansur lunged for Behenna as he was being returned home and Behenna shot him in self defense. Though an expert witness supports Behenna’s version of events, the government refused to hear this testimony.
Behenna’s case is currently in the Army Court of Appeals while he is imprisoned at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. His legal team filed an appellate brief on December 22, 2009. The government’s response brief is due on April 21, 2010. Contributions can be made at MichaelSavage.com.
