Michael Behenna Spending His First Weekend Home

A local solider is spending his first weekend at home with family in a very long time. Former Army First Lt. Michael Behenna served five years for killing an Al-Qaeda operative in Afghanistan. Tonight, he is a free man after being paroled.

The Behenna family was there waiting when Michael was released from Fort Levenworth, Kan. Friday. News 9 was there when he returned home to Edmond.

Vicki Behenna has been fighting for her son's release. Michael is home now after serving time for killing Ali Mansur. Behenna says he killed Mansur out of self-defense during questioning, saying Mansur reached for his gun.

3/15/2014 Related Story: Edmond Soldier Home After Serving 5 Years In Military Prison

The military court found Behenna guilty of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone. After serving a third of his reduced sentence, Behenna was released on parole.

Behenna says he got through the time in prison thanks to the support from his parents. But this was a bittersweet moment for Michael. Nine others still remain behind bars.

News 9 spoke with Michael's father Scott, on Saturday, who said they were having close friends and family over so Michael could spend some quality time with them.

Vicki says the next steps will be re-acclimating Michael to life outside prison, starting with the little things, like getting a driver's license and learning how to text.