This is the fifth installment in the continuing saga of the imprisonment of an American infantry officer for "murdering" a Taliban fighter in Afghanistan. If you are new to this story, you may review my previous postings:

Original Posting: Who is more deserving of justice than the men & women who fight to defend our freedom?

Update 1: Parole hearing scheduled

Update 2: Parole denied

Update 3: Government dragging its feet in responding to Supreme Court

Update 4: Is justice delayed justice denied in the case of Lt Behenna?

The following was broadcast by Lt Behenna's parents in an email:

To all the thousands of Michael supporters,

Michael's case, including the Petition, the Government Response, and the Reply to the Government Response, is now complete and before the Supreme Court.  The Supremes have set Michael's case to be initially discussed at their conference on May 30th which is ironically during the 50th Anniversary of Brady vs Maryland (the Supreme Court case demanding that prosecutors disclose all beneficial information to the criminally accused).  During the conference, four out of the nine Supreme Court Justices must vote to hear the case in order to grant certiorari.  If certiorari is granted in Michael's case it would be the first time the Supremes would have granted a service member's appeal from the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF).  Needless to say, anxiousness will abound for the next few weeks and prayers are certainly welcome.  We should have the Court’s decision sometime during the first week of June.  If the Court grants certiorari, Michael’s case would proceed through a briefing process, oral arguments, and a decision by the Supreme Court hopefully before the end of the year.

We can't thank you enough for all the encouraging cards and letters that you sent to Michael for his birthday.  As Michael told us this past weekend it is these cards and letters that help him navigate the sometimes helpless and hopeless thoughts that have haunted him these past four years behind prison walls. He reads every card and letter sent to him, but given his prison schedule of work, exercise time, meals and early lights out he unfortunately does not have time to send out very many thank you notes.  For this he sends his apologies and hopes a day will come soon when he can thank all of you in person.  

If you did not see the Mother's Day tribute to Vicki last Sunday in the Oklahoman, hopefully the attached video and article will describe the huge appreciation we have for all your support and what your individual words of encouragement have meant to Michael and our whole family.

Vicki's Mother's Day Video - http://newsok.com/multimedia/video/2372015906001

Vicki’s Mother's Day Article -  http://newsok.com/behenna

Bless you all for your support of our son,

Scott & Vicki Behenna

www.defendmichael.com