35 years for Bradley Manning

By Progreso Weekly Last updated Aug 23, 2013

ACLU Comment on Bradley Manning Sentence:   

“When a soldier who shared information with the press and public is punished far more harshly than others who tortured prisoners and killed civilians, something is seriously wrong with our justice system. A legal system that doesn’t distinguish between leaks to the press in the public interest and treason against the nation will not only produce unjust results, but will deprive the public of critical information that is necessary for democratic accountability. This is a sad day for Bradley Manning, but it’s also a sad day for all Americans who depend on brave whistleblowers and a free press for a fully informed public debate.”

From National Public Radio:

Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, who was responsible for the largest leak of classified information in U.S. history, was sentenced by a military judge to 35 years in prison Wednesday, according to reporters covering the trial at Fort Meade, MD. He’ll get about 3 1/2 years’ credit for time he’s already spent behind bars.

Details:

Manning is also to be dishonorably discharged.
The maximum sentence possible was 90 years.
Prosecutors had asked that he be given 60 years.
Manning’s defense asked for a 25-year sentence.

Manning’s lawyer plans to speak to the news media at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Also: “Manning’s sentence will automatically be sent to the Army Court of Criminal Appeals,” The New York Times adds. “Before the next phase can begin, the entire court-martial proceedings must be turned into an official transcript, which both the defense and prosecution, as well as the judge, must approve; that process is expected to take considerable time. Pretrial hearings started in 2012, and the trial itself began in early June.”

Manning was convicted in July of most of the charges he faced, including multiple counts of espionage. But he was acquitted of the most serious: aiding the enemy. He admitted that in early 2010 he gave WikiLeaks “more than 700,000 documents, including battlefield reports and U.S. Embassy cables.”