ABOUT CLINT’S CASE
On Dec 18th 2018, attorneys for 1LT Clint Lorance filed a habeas corpus petition in a federal district court in Kansas seeking disapproval of the convictions and sentence in his court martial for attempted murder and double murder. Lorance was in prison for over five years for killing “civilians” even though fingerprint and DNA proved that alleged Afghan civilians were bomb makers.
Lorance’s lawsuit can be viewed below, as well as a press release providing a summary.
VIEW HABEAS CORPUS FILING
VIEW SHOW CASE ORDER
VIEW FULL PRESS RELEASE
VIEW TENTH CIRCUIT BRIEF
Quick Facts of the Case
FACT 1: Lorance never fired his rifle, but gave the order to fire to protect his soldiers after a paratrooper saw three Afghan men on a single motorcycle speeding at the Platoon’s patrol through a minefield.
FACT 2: The Army claimed the riders were civilian casualties, but fingerprint and DNA evidence shows they left their prints and DNA on improvised explosive devices, which the prosecution did not disclose.
FACT 3: The prosecution did not disclose an Army Report that concluded Lorance’s platoon was being scouted for an impending attack or ambush and that at least one insurgent was killed.
FACT 4: Nine soldiers were initially accused of murder, but given immunity and ordered to cooperate against Lorance.
WHO IS CLINT LORANCE?
Clint Allen Lorance is a hard-working, dedicated, and conscientious leader who, as a First Lieutenant in the US Army in August 2013, was unjustly found guilty on two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder for ordering his platoon to open fire on three men on a motorcycle in southern Afghanistan in July 2012.
Clint was born on December 13, 1984 to Tracy Allen Lorance, a welder, and Anna Monroe Lorance, a homemaker, in Hobart, Oklahoma. They later moved to Greenville, Texas, where Clint was raised. Clint is a middle child with two older sisters and one younger brother and a female cousin, Jamie, who was born the same year as Clint and is considered, by his family, to be his “twin.” Clint is also a loving uncle to several nephews and nieces.
During high school, Clint worked three jobs simultaneously and was a Police Explorer. Clint also stayed active in the local Future Farmers of America chapter and was fortunate to interact with many adults who helped mentor and nurture him, including the Vice President of the local bank, the Agriculture Education teacher, a Police Officer, and his Aunt and Uncle. All of whom helped shape his perspectives of hard work and service.
In 2002, Clint earned his GED and started classes together at the local community college. However, after one semester, as our Nation prepared for war with Iraq, Clint decided it was time to pitch in and do what he could to help shoulder shoulder the burden of engaging in two wars simultaneously.
On December 13, 2002, Clint’s 18th birthday, Clint walked into the Army recruiting station in Greenville, Texas, and joined the Army as a military policeman (MP). On April 15, 2003, Clint shipped off to basic training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, where he spent 17 weeks training to be an Army MP.
Upon graduating from basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Clint spent a few weeks home with his family before shipping off to his first duty assignment in Pusan, South Korea.
During his assignment in Korea, Clint was quickly promoted and placed in positions of greater responsibility. Additionally, Clint’s outstanding performance and commitment to excellence in each position he held, from Driver to Gunner to Team Leader to Squad Leader to Traffic Accident Investigator and D.A.R.E. School Resource Officer, earned him several accolades for his outstanding performance, from “Soldier of the Month” to “NCO of the Quarter” for the 8th MP Brigade. Clint also achieved the rank of Sergeant in just two years.
In addition to his professional development, Clint maintained his physical fitness. He participated in numerous athletic events to include half marathons, “Iron Soldier” competitions, the “Army 10-Miler” and the “Bataan Memorial Death March” in White Sands, New Mexico.
On September 10, 2005, Clint left Korea for his next duty assignment with the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. However, since he was being assigned to an airborne infantry unit, prior to checking in, Clint went to the United States Army Airborne School – widely known as “Jump School” – at Fort Benning, Georgia, to attend basic paratrooper training and earn his “wings.”
While with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, Clint, a 21 year old Sergeant, led a squad of 11 MPs to one of the largest multinational military exercises in which the United States participates, “Cobra Gold” in Thailand. While in Thailand, Clint also earned his Thai Jump Wings.
In September 2006, Clint deployed to Iraq with the 4th Brigade Combat Team for his first operational 12-month operational tour to in a combat zone. That tour was ultimately extended into a 15-month deployment.
Upon returning from Iraq, due to his maturity and professionalism while deployed, Clint was selected to be the Brigade’s Provost Sergeant, the sergeant in charge the MP station, a position normally held by a more senior ranking non-commissioned officer. He held that position until he was accepted into the “Green-to-Gold” program, which selects exemplary enlisted soldiers and assigns them to a commissioned officer training program with the US Army’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).
In July 2008, Clint left Alaska to attend the University of North Texas and to commence his training to become a Commissioned Officer. While attending university, in addition to maintaining his grades and excelling as a ROTC cadet, Clint was active in the American Red Cross, Denton Chapter, and the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity.
On May 15, 2010, Clint became the first person in his family to graduate with a college degree.
Clint was subsequently commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant in in the US Army and proceeded to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he successfully completed Infantry Basic Officer Leader’s Course and Air Assault School before being assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.
In March of 2012, Clint deployed to Southern Afghanistan as the Squadron Liaison Officer to the Commander for the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
In June, 2012, Clint was selected to replace an Infantry Platoon Leader who was medically evacuated dues to shrapnel wounds to his eyes, face, and abdomen incurred from the blast of an IED.
Three days after taking charge as the Platoon Leader, on July 2, 2012, Clint directed the men of his platoon to open fire on three Afghan males speeding toward his platoon on a motorcycle.
Just a year later, Clint was convicted of two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Clint was granted a Presidential Pardon and released from Fort Leavenworth on November 15, 2019 after serving just over six years of a 19-year prison sentence.
