COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH FILE
Case: United States v. First Lieutenant Clint Allen Lorance
Date: August 2013
Location: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Charges: 2 counts of second-degree murder, 1 count of attempted murder, obstruction of justice, others
Verdict: GUILTY (2 counts murder, 1 count attempted murder, additional charges)
Final Status: PARDONED by President Donald Trump (November 15, 2019)
SECTION 1: DEFENDANT PROFILE
1.1 Personal Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| <strong>Full Name</strong> | Clint Allen Lorance |
| <strong>Birth</strong> | December 13, 1984 |
| <strong>Birthplace</strong> | Hobart, Oklahoma |
| <strong>Age at Crime</strong> | 27 years old |
| <strong>Age at Court-Martial</strong> | 28 years old |
| <strong>Age at Pardon</strong> | 34 years old |
1.2 Family Background
Parents:
- Tracy Allen Lorance (father) – welder
- Anna Monroe Lorance (mother) – homemaker
Siblings:
- Two older sisters
- One younger brother
- Female cousin Jamie (born same year, considered “twin”)
Hometown:
- Hobart, Oklahoma (birthplace)
- Later moved to Greenville, Texas
- Resided in Celeste and Merit, Texas (Hunt County) before deployment
1.3 Education
High School:
- Worked three jobs simultaneously
- Police Explorer program participant
University of North Texas:
- Graduated 2010
- First college graduate in family
- Bachelor’s degree
1.4 Pre-Military Employment
- Police Explorer during high school
- Multiple jobs while student
SECTION 2: MILITARY CAREER
2.1 Enlistment
Date: December 13, 2002 (18th birthday)
2.2 Early Service
South Korea (2002-2004):
- First assignment
- Served two years as traffic officer
Iraq:
- 15-month deployment
- Duties: Guarding detainees
- No direct combat experience prior to Afghanistan
2.3 Officer Commission
Date: 2010 (after college graduation)
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: Infantry
Subsequently promoted to: First Lieutenant
2.4 Afghanistan Deployment
Date: March 2012
Unit:
- 4th Brigade Combat Team
- 73rd Cavalry Regiment
- 82nd Airborne Division
Initial Role: Squadron Liaison Officer to Commander
Reassignment (June 2012):
- Selected to replace infantry platoon leader
- Previous platoon leader medically evacuated
- Shrapnel wounds to eyes, face, abdomen from IED
- Location: Southern Afghanistan (Panjwayi District, Kandahar Province)
Time as Platoon Leader Before Incident: 3 days
SECTION 3: THE INCIDENT
3.1 Date and Location
Date: July 2, 2012
Location: Village in Panjwayi District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
- Taliban birthplace and stronghold
- Area of heavy fighting
- Heavy IED activity
3.2 Circumstances
Patrol:
- Lorance leading foot patrol through area
- Platoon accompanied by Afghan National Army soldiers
- Patrol moving through known minefield
The Motorcycle:
- Three Afghan men on single motorcycle
- Approached patrol position
- Private First Class spotted motorcycle
- Men reportedly speeding toward patrol
3.3 The Shooting
Lorance’s Order:
- Radioed: “Smoke ’em”
- Ordered soldiers to open fire
Confusion:
- Soldiers in vehicle unclear whom to shoot
- Staff sergeant reportedly told soldiers to ignore order
- Private David Shilo in turret eventually fired
First Shot:
- Shilo fired M240 machine gun
- One Afghan struck, fell into drainage ditch
- Testified he thought acting on lawful order (motorcycles banned in sector)
Second Shot:
- Two surviving Afghans bent to retrieve dead colleague
- Shilo fired again
- Second Afghan killed
- Third man fled
Third Order (Refused):
- Boy (approximately 12 years old) approached scene
- Lorance ordered Shilo to fire on motorcycle
- Shilo refused
- “I wasn’t going to shoot a 12-year-old boy”
3.4 Victims
Killed:
- Haji Mohammed Aslam
- Ghamai Abdul Haq
- Villagers known to U.S. troops (per testimony)
Third Rider:
- Escaped; ran away
3.5 Aftermath at Scene
Relatives:
- Women and children arrived crying and screaming
- Lorance allegedly threatened them
Search of Bodies:
- Found: ID card, keys, flashlight, paper, scissors, three cucumbers, gourd
- No weapons found
- No bomb-making materials found
- Motorcycle on kickstand
Explosives Residue Test:
- Platoon member had equipment to test for bomb-making residue
- Lorance declined test
- Reportedly said: “You’re not going to like…”
3.6 Allegations of Other Misconduct
Three Days in Command (per soldier testimony):
- Pointed gun at elderly Afghan man’s face
- Counted down as if to shoot
- Ordered random fire into village
- Threatened women and children at shooting scene
SECTION 4: REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION
4.1 Platoon Members Report Lorance
Decision:
- Nine members of 1st Platoon reported Lorance
- Testified against him at court-martial
- Turned in their commander within days
4.2 Witness Testimony
Todd Fitzgerald:
- Former soldier who witnessed incident
- Later led campaign against Lorance’s law license
- Described events in formal letters
Mike McGuinness (Staff Sergeant):
“Giving orders to shoot unarmed people, threatening women and children, and then asking subordinates to cover it up is pretty damning evidence of a lack of moral fiber.”
David Shilo (shooter):
- Testified he believed acting on lawful order
- Refused final order to shoot near child
- Declined interviews after trial
4.3 Afghan Witness Claims
Who Fired First:
- Defense claimed Afghan National Army soldiers fired first
- Disputed by prosecution
- Court ruled this evidence inadmissible
SECTION 5: THE COURT-MARTIAL
5.1 Location and Date
Location: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Date: August 2013
5.2 Charges
- 2 counts of second-degree murder (unpremeditated)
- 1 count of attempted murder
- Reckless endangerment
- Communicating a threat
- Eliciting false official statement
- Obstruction of justice
5.3 Defense Arguments
Attorney: Don Brown (later John Maher for appeals)
Arguments:
- Lorance protecting platoon in dangerous area
- Taliban threat imminent
- Motorcycles prohibited in sector
- Split-second combat decision
Withheld Evidence Claim:
- Defense later alleged biometric evidence withheld
- DNA/fingerprints allegedly linked victims to IEDs
- One victim allegedly linked to prior IED incident
- Second allegedly involved in insurgent attack
- Third allegedly connected to hostile action against U.S. troops
5.4 Prosecution Arguments
- Victims were unarmed civilians
- No imminent threat
- Motorcycle on kickstand (not speeding)
- Lorance had no combat experience
- Pattern of threatening behavior
5.5 Witness Issues
Immunity Grants:
- Several prosecution witnesses granted immunity
- Defense argued they were “ordered” to testify against Lorance
Testimony Pattern:
- Nine platoon members testified against commander
- Few had directly witnessed shooting
- Defense characterized testimony as about “peripheral matters”
5.6 Verdict
Guilty:
- 2 counts second-degree murder
- 1 count attempted murder
- Additional charges (obstruction, threats, false statements)
Sentence:
- 20 years imprisonment (later reduced to 19 years)
- Reduction in rank
- Dismissal from service
SECTION 6: APPEALS
6.1 Defense Claims of Withheld Evidence
September 2015:
- Defense attorneys filed for new trial
- Argued biometric evidence showed victims linked to terror networks
- Claimed victims’ DNA/fingerprints found on IEDs
- Said evidence not disclosed at trial
Database Search:
- Defense conducted post-conviction search
- Military biometric database used in Afghanistan
- Claimed “hits” on victims
6.2 Army Court of Criminal Appeals
June 2017:
- Rejected Lorance’s appeal
- Ruled biometric evidence would not have been admissible
- Even if admissible, would not have helped case
6.3 Disputed Evidence Claims
Problems with Defense Claims:
- Other reviews suggested victims were civilians
- Men with Taliban connections may have been different individuals
- Same name confusion possible
- Don Brown’s claims “not substantiated in other reviews”
6.4 Federal Court Petition
December 18, 2018:
- Habeas corpus petition filed
- Federal District Court, Kansas
SECTION 7: PARDON CAMPAIGN
7.1 Conservative Media Support
Fox News:
- Sean Hannity: Primary advocate
- Pete Hegseth: Strong supporter
- Extensive coverage portraying Lorance as wrongfully convicted
7.2 Political Support
Republican Politicians:
- Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) – Marine combat veteran
- Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ)
- Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)
Duncan Hunter Letter to Trump:
“This is one of those cases that stands out as a stupid decision where someone who should not be in jail is going to jail.”
7.3 Documentary
“Leavenworth” (Starz, October 2019):
- Documentary series featuring Lorance case
- Only known footage inside U.S. Disciplinary Barracks
- Aired month before pardon
7.4 United American Patriots
- Advocacy organization
- Supported Lorance case
- Provided legal assistance
- Published fact sheets defending Lorance
SECTION 8: PRESIDENTIAL PARDON
8.1 Trump Administration Actions
November 15, 2019:
- President Donald Trump issued full and unconditional pardon
- Announced alongside pardons for Matthew Golsteyn and Eddie Gallagher case action
8.2 Release
November 15, 2019:
- Released from U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth
- After serving 6 years of 19-year sentence
- Reunited with family same night
Notification:
- Trump and Vice President Pence called Lorance personally
- Informed him of pardon
8.3 Official Statement
White House:
“Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for Army First Lieutenant Clint Lorance…”
8.4 Post-Pardon Media Appearance
Fox & Friends (November 18, 2019):
- Lorance accused Pentagon brass of betrayal
- Criticized generals as “politicians”
“A service member who knows that their commanders love them will go to the gates of hell for their country and knock them down.”
8.5 Military Response
Criticism:
- Defense Secretary Mark Esper convened meeting to review war crimes cases
- Retired general officers expressed concern
- Critics argued pardons undermine military justice system
Retired General (anonymous):
“This is so dangerous, nothing pisses me off more than these pardons. This undermines everything we have stood for.”
General Charles Krulak (USMC, Ret.):
- Warned pardons could cause U.S. to “relinquish moral high ground”
SECTION 9: POST-PARDON LIFE
9.1 Education
Appalachian School of Law:
- Grundy, Virginia
- Enrolled 2020
- Graduated May 13, 2023
Bar Exam:
- Completed bar exam July 2023
9.2 Law License Controversy
Bar Exam:
- Completed Oklahoma bar exam July 2023
Protest Campaign (Summer 2023):
- Led by Todd Fitzgerald (former platoon member)
- Online campaign protesting Lorance’s bar admission
- Called on Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners to deny license
- Extensive media coverage (ABA Journal, Army Times, The Intercept, Daily Beast)
Fitzgerald Letter:
- Sent to Oklahoma Bar Association
- Outlined witnessed events
- Described Lorance as having “acted cruelly and inhumanely”
- Accused Lorance of creating false narrative
McGuinness Op-Ed (Army Times):
“Giving orders to shoot unarmed people, threatening women and children, and then asking subordinates to cover it up is pretty damning evidence of a lack of moral fiber.”
Annie Jacobsen Investigation (New York Times, 2021):
- Discovered one victim allegedly killed was arrested multiple times by U.S. forces AFTER the shooting
- Biometrics expert admitted never running names through ABIS database
- Undermined defense’s “bombmaker” claims
Current Status:
- Bar admission decision by Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners: Outcome not publicly confirmed as of research date
- Character and fitness review ongoing given formal objections
9.3 Publications
Books by Lorance:
- Book on war crimes experience
- Guide for millennial conservative activists
9.4 Continued Legal Fight
Tenth Circuit Appeal:
- Despite pardon, Lorance pursued habeas corpus
- Sought to clear conviction record
Court Ruling (September 23, 2021):
- Tenth Circuit ruled accepting pardon did not constitute confession of guilt
- Did not waive habeas rights
- Lorance could continue fighting conviction despite pardon
SECTION 10: PLATOON IMPACT
10.1 1st Platoon Aftermath
Deaths (Post-Deployment):
- 5 of approximately 36 platoon soldiers died after returning home
- James O. Twist: Died by suicide November 2019 (weeks before pardon)
- Michigan state trooper
- Father of three
- Funeral held as pardon preparations underway
Hospitalized:
- At least 4 others hospitalized
- Suicide attempts
- Drug/alcohol struggles
10.2 Platoon Members’ Response to Pardon
Feelings:
- Described as “traumatized by battle”
- “Brutalized by politicization of their service”
- Felt “truth of what they lived in Afghanistan… had been so demeaned”
Mike McGuinness:
“What displays that even more is Lorance’s insistence that he was the victim, his complete lack of remorse, and his failure to take accountability for his actions in Afghanistan.”
SECTION 11: SOURCE BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Sources
- Court-martial transcript (2013)
- Habeas corpus petition (2018)
- Tenth Circuit brief and ruling (2021)
Legal Documents
- U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals decision (2017)
- Executive Grant of Clemency (November 15, 2019)
Media Sources
- The Washington Post (“The Cursed Platoon,” 2020)
- The Intercept
- Fox News
- Stars and Stripes
- Military Times
- Task & Purpose
- ABA Journal
- Daily Beast
- New York Times (Annie Jacobsen, January 2021)
Books
- Jacobsen, Annie. “First Platoon: A Story of Modern War in the Age of Identity Dominance” (2021)
Documentary
- “Leavenworth” (Starz, 2019)
Advocacy Materials
- United American Patriots case file
SECTION 12: ABOUT THE COURT-MARTIAL
The Clint Lorance court-martial became one of the most politically divisive military justice cases of the Afghanistan War era. Nine members of Lorance’s own platoon testified against him, describing a commander who—in just three days of leadership—ordered the killing of unarmed civilians and threatened villagers. The case took on new dimensions when conservative media personalities championed Lorance as a wrongfully convicted combat leader, leading to a successful campaign for presidential pardon. The pardon was controversial both within the military justice community and among Lorance’s former soldiers, who saw it as invalidating their testimony and the justice system. The case highlights tensions between civilian political pressure and military justice, the difficulty of prosecuting combat decisions, and the lasting psychological impact on soldiers who report misconduct. Lorance’s subsequent pursuit of a law license, opposed by soldiers who testified against him, adds another chapter to a case that continues to generate debate about accountability in wartime.
Research compiled from multiple verified historical and journalistic sources.