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Home Front: WoT
Manning will face most serious charges
2013-03-03
Last week during his pretrial hearing at Fort Meade, Pfc. Bradley Manning offered a guilty plea to a number of lesser charges including being the source of leaks to Wikileaks of state secrets. The government had the option of settling for the 10 charges to which Manning had pled guilty and proceeding directly to sentencing, but the prosecutors have instead indicated that they will proceed with a full court martial, bringing the most serious charges against the soldier -- including "aiding the enemy," which could carry a life sentence without parole.

"Given the scope of the alleged misconduct, the seriousness of the charged offenses, and the evidence and testimony available, the United States intends to proceed with the court-martial to prove Manning committed the charged offenses beyond the lesser charges to which he has already pled guilty," said a statement from the military district.

As the Guardian's Ed Pilkington pointed out, "It will be the sixth time the Espionage Act has been unleashed against the source of an official leak of classified information under the Obama administration -- more than the total number of times it has been deployed under all previous presidents since it was enacted in 1917."
In this particular case it's richly deserved...
The government's decision has amplified criticism from Manning's supporters and human rights advocates that the soldier's treatment is politically motivated.
And Manning's conduct wasn't?
"From day one the prosecution had the option to prosecute Bradley easily for the charge's he's admitted to now. If they push on with the Espionage Act it's because they want to send a political message that what Bradley did will not be tolerated," Jeff Patterson, of the Bradley Manning support network told the Guardian.
Correct you are, sir! It indeed won't be tolerated, and this trial is a great way to get the word out.
Posted by:tipper

#3  The death penalty isn't an option? Darn! Why not?

Cause the Court of Military Appeals hasn't allowed one in generations.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF – in case citations, C.A.A.F. – or USCAAF) is an Article I court that exercises worldwide appellate jurisdiction over members of the United States armed forces on active duty and other persons subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The court is composed of five civilian judges appointed for 15-year terms by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. - wiki

Nuf said.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2013-03-03 22:50  

#2  So it appears the prosecution's holding all the good cards and PFC Manning is hoping to draw half a pair of dueces.
I'd say he is pretty well screwed, unless The Lightbringer weighs in....
Posted by: USN,Ret.   2013-03-03 19:25  

#1  As I've said several times before, I will cheerfully be called out of retirement to sit on the little traitor's trial. We'll give him a fair trial before we hang him.

What? The death penalty isn't an option? Darn! Why not?
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia   2013-03-03 15:47  

00:00