Idaho Soldier to be Released
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(ST ANTHONY, ID) — An eastern Idaho soldier convicted of murdering an Iraqi civilian in 2007 will be released from a military prison next month. Anna Vela, the mother of Sgt. Evan Vela, says her son is scheduled to be released March 21. The St. Anthony native was a U.S. Army sniper and claimed his hiding position had been compromised by the victim. Vela was serving a 10-year sentence for shooting the civilian and allegedly planting an AK-47 on the corpse to make it appear as if the victim was an insurgent. Vela’s family says they’re thankful for the outpouring of support they’ve received since Vela was imprisoned.