Petition for Clemency, Compassionate Release, and Pardon on Behalf of Mathieu Householder

 

To the Honorable Governor Mike Braun:

We, the undersigned, respectfully petition for clemency, compassionate release, and a pardon for Mathieu Householder, a military veteran.

Mr. Householder answered the nation's call to serve with honor, courage, and valor for which he was invited to the White House. During his military service to Iraq 2007-2008 and Afghanistan 2009-2010, he sustained injuries that resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and later developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These service-connected conditions have profoundly affected his cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, judgment, and overall mental health.

There is also the element of survivors' guilt, losing the ones that we have built a bond with, baptized through unbreakable bonds in service, and trust forged on the battlefield. There is no greater love or sacrifice for a soldier willing to lay down his own life for his brothers in arms, his family, and our nation's interest and freedom.

Medical research has consistently shown that TBI and PTSD can significantly impair decision-making, impulse control, memory, and the ability to respond appropriately under stress. These conditions are injuries-not character flaws-and require specialized, evidence-based treatment from providers experienced in caring for veterans.

We are not asking that the seriousness of any offense be ignored. Rather, we ask that the full context of Mr. Householder's service-related disabilities be considered. Justice is best served when accountability is balanced with compassion and when medical needs are addressed in a manner that reduces the risk of future harm and promotes rehabilitation.

Continued incarceration is unlikely to provide the comprehensive neurological and mental health treatment that Mr. Householder requires. Specialized care, including treatment for TBI, trauma-focused therapy, psychiatric services, rehabilitation, and ongoing support, offers a greater opportunity for recovery, stability, and successful reintegration into the community.

If granted clemency or compassionate release, Mr. Householder could receive appropriate medical and mental health care through qualified providers, including veteran-focused treatment programs where eligible. He also has the support of family, friends, and community members who are committed to helping ensure compliance with treatment, stable housing, and a successful transition.

We respectfully ask that you consider the following:

Mr. Householder's honorable military service.
The documented diagnoses of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Medical evidence regarding how these conditions may have affected behavior and decision-making.
His conduct while incarcerated, including participation in treatment, education, or rehabilitation, if applicable.
The availability of a structured treatment and supervision plan upon release.
The interests of justice, rehabilitation, public safety, and compassion.
Our request is not based solely on sympathy but on the belief that appropriate medical treatment, accountability, and community support provide a better path forward than continued incarceration for an individual whose service-connected injuries have significantly contributed to the challenges he faces.

We respectfully ask that you grant Mathieu Householder clemency, compassionate release, a sentence commutation, and/or a pardon as permitted by law, so that he may receive the specialized care necessary to address these service-connected conditions and continue the path toward rehabilitation.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and commitment to ensuring that justice is administered with fairness, compassion, and respect for those who have served our country.

Respectfully submitted,

SGT Matthew Harvey US Army, Retired