A U.S. Army National Guardsman will be released on parole next month after serving eight years of a life sentence for allegedly murdering an Afghan civilian.
Sgt. Derrick Miller will be released from the Fort Leavenworth military prison on May 20, 2019 after being granted parole late last month, I-270 News reported.
Miller was convicted for the death of a civilian during his third deployment to Afghanistan. Miller claims the civilian attempted to grab his weapon, and he fatally shot the civilian in self-defense.
“It has been my honor to advocate for Sergeant Derrick Miller, who appeared to have the deck stacked against him during the Obama administration while Sgt. Miller worked passionately to defend his fellow soldiers in Afghanistan,” Rep. Louie Gohmert stated.
Congressman Gohmert on Sergeant Derrick Miller Being Granted Parole – #UAP #UApatriots #UnitedAmericanPatriots https://t.co/Av2No247x7
— UAP (@UAPatriots) March 22, 2019
“After first backing Sgt. Miller’s story, an Afghan interpreter was coaxed into changing his story to testify at trial against Sgt. Miller with promises of U.S. citizenship for himself and his family. Since prior efforts to get U.S. visas had been denied, he was more than willing to have a U.S. soldier convicted if it meant safety and legalization for them in the U.S. It was evident that same deck was stacked against Sgt. Miller when witnesses he needed in Afghanistan were not allowed to come testify at his trial in the U.S,” Gohmert added.
Gohmert said Miller’s original conviction of premeditated murder was entirely wrong, which is why he fought for a modified conviction. After a nine-year legal fight, the original life sentence was later reduced to 20 years imprison and eligibility for parole.
“Derrick’s actions saved American military lives for which not only got no credit; he was sent to prison. But this good news has brought joy for Derrick and those of us who were trying to help him,” Gohmert asserted.
During Miller’s trial, his defense team said that Miller stopped the victim to question him after he penetrated a defensive perimeter. While Miller was interrogating, the man reached for Miller’s gun, prompting Miller to fire at the man, The Guardian reported.
Once released, Miller will go home to Frederick, M.d. and has four job offers waiting for him.
Miller’s mother, Renee, says she owes her son’s upcoming release to Gohmert.
“I especially want to thank Congressman Louie Gohmert for his valiant effort to fight for this American Son. One meeting with Congressman Gohmert is all it took for this good and caring Congressman from Texas to engage on Derrick’s behalf. Congressman Gohmert went that extra mile, he attended two of Derrick’s hearings and he fought for his release!” she said.
