Trump Issues Pardon for Former US Soldier Who Killed Iraqi Prisoner

Michael Behenna (C), is embraced by his brother Brett and girlfriend Shannon Wahl following his release from prison in Leavenworth, Kan., on March 14, 2014. Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman via AP

President Donald Trump pardoned a former United States soldier who was convicted of killing a prisoner in Iraq.

Michael Behenna was a first lieutenant in the Army when he killed a suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist in 2008 after interrogating him about an explosion that killed two U.S. soldiers. He was convicted of unpremeditated murder in 2009 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.